NOVEMBER 1, 2007

MRSA is fast becoming an all too common acronym. It stands for Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus, an antibiotic resistant strain of staph that is now commonly found in our communities, our schools, on our hands and in our nasal passages. Many people can carry MRSA in their nasal passages and on their skin and do not realize that they carry it. It can cause havoc with our health when it finds its way inside our body through a skin abrasion or cut. MRSA infections can lead to painful boils, flu like symptoms, and sometimes death. Recent national news reports have made MRSA infections known to a wider audience. This notoriety is positive as it can help educate the public about the growing problem.

Lake County has had a significant increase in MRSA cases over the past few years. Lisa Valdez, RN, Infection Control Coordinator at Sutter Lakeside Hospital & Center for Health reports: "Since 2004 we have seen a 1000% increase in patients arriving at our hospital outpatient areas with Community-Acquired MRSA. This increase is not unique to Lake County though. This is part of a national trend that we are just beginning to experience."

As schools around the country begin to learn about the growing and worrisome problem of MRSA, schools in Lake County are lucky to have a cutting edge educational program to educate students and families. The Healthy Kids Are Contagious program at Sutter Lakeside Hospital and Center for Health has a middle and high school program that directly addresses MRSA education and prevention. This program targets schools because the close contact of students puts them at risk. Students are also notorious for not washing their hands regularly; the most important factor in curtailing the spread of the MRSA bug.

"We saw the potential for serious MRSA problems in our schools and sports programs and created and implemented a program last school year to address the need to educate kids and their families," says Tammi Silva, Public Relations Director at Sutter Lakeside Hospital and Center for Health. This program called "Playing it Safe" brings nurses and doctors directly to the school site to educate students in 7th-12th grade. Through a dramatic PowerPoint presentation and interactive discussion, students learn what MRSA is and the simple steps in preventing it.

"Though the results of MRSA can be scary, our presentation empowers kids instead of frightening them," says Carrie McClure, School Site Coordinator for the hospital program. "We present the facts and stress to students that they have the power to create their own good health through good hygiene and making their body strong through good nutrition, exercise, and positive thoughts. Kids are listening and sharing the information we give them with friends and family."

The Healthy Kids are Contagious program also implements a hygiene program for first graders called "Flu Crew to the Rescue". Though not directly aimed at MRSA prevention, the same hygiene measures that keep you from contracting the flu work for preventing the spread of MRSA; wash your hands and body thoroughly and often with soap, don’t share personal items such as towels, water bottles, P.E. uniforms, and sports equipment and keep your body healthy for the times those nasty germs do sneak in.

If you would like to know more about the Healthy Kids are Contagious program call Carrie McClure, School Site Coordinator at 262-5039x1.

Facts about MRSA...

• MRSA germs are now common but only cause problems for a small percentage of people when they enter the body through a cut, abrasion, or open pore.


• MRSA is spread through close contact with someone who has the bacteria, or from surfaces that have MRSA bacteria on them.


• MRSA is resistant to many common antibiotics, but also easily treatable if diagnosed early.


• MRSA boils are the often thought to be spider bites or pimples. However, they are more painful, and don’t go away in a day or two.


• MRSA can cause skin boils, abcesses, serious infections in the skin, bones, organs, and blood. In rare cases it can cause death.


• The best ways to protect yourself include washing hands and body with soap, not sharing personal items such as towels, razors, and sports equipment, and washing surfaces with MRSA killing agents.


• See a doctor immediately if you have a boil that is painful and not healing.


• Keep abscesses and boils covered, as drainage is extremely contagious.


• Complete the entire course of antibiotics if they have been prescribed to treat MRSA. Failure to complete antibiotic treatment may help MRSA become more resistant.

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