Consider five Cs when thinking of MRSA
By Dr. Terry Shlimbaum
MRSA has been a “hot topic” in the media recently.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams.
Beta-lactam antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin.
While 25 percent to 30 percent of the population is colonized with staph, approximately 1 percent is colonized with MRSA.
Most MRSA infections are skin infections, which may appear as postules or boils which are red, swollen and are painful. These skin infections can be found if the skin has a cut, abrasion or in areas on the body covered by hair.
Almost all MRSA infections can be treated by drainage of pus, with or without antibiotics. More serious infections, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections or bone infections are very rare in healthy people who get MRSA.
MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact, contact with shared items or surfaces that come into contact with someone else’s infection, such as towels or used bandages.
Think of the five Cs associated with transmission a crowded environment, skin to skin contract, comprised skin (cuts or abrasions), contaminated items and surfaces and lack of cleanliness.
Schools, dormitories, military barracks, households, correctional facilities and day care centers are common areas that have the five Cs.
How do I protect myself from getting MRSA?
You can protect yourself by:
Practicing good hygiene.
It is important to keep your hands clean by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and showering immediately after participating in exercise.
Covering skin trauma such as abrasions or cuts with a clean dry bandage until healed.
Avoiding sharing personal items (towels, razors, etc.) that come into contact with your bare skin and using a barrier (clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment such as weight-training benches.
Maintaining a clean environment by establishing cleaning procedures for frequently touched surfaces and surfaces that come into direct contact with people’s skin.