When in mid-October, area news agencies reported the recent outbreak of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in area schools, we began receiving calls about this infection from concerned parents. We hope that the following information will be helpful in answering your questions and alleviating your fears. Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria found on the skin or in the nose of about three out of ten people. It does not cause illness in healthy people because the skin acts as a barrier to infection. However, if there is a break in the skin and Staph breaks through this barrier, a wound infection can develop. Skin infections caused by Staph can be red, swollen and tender or have pus or other drainage. In very rare cases Staph can cause infections in the blood, lungs or other tissues. The good news is that Staph infections are usually easily eradicated with common antibiotics. What is different about MRSA is that this strain of Staph is resistant to commonly used antibiotics and therefore a little more difficult to treat. MRSA was once limited to persons in hospitals and nursing homes but it is increasingly being found in the community. Essentially, MRSA is found anywhere that the public congregates. A recent study done by Jonathan Sexton at the University of Arizona highlights this fact. Over the past two years he has been collecting samples from public restrooms, offices, public transportation and automobiles in random sites throughout the U.S. His findings may surprise (or horrify) you:

• S. aureus was detected in 32.4% of 202 automobile samples from steering wheel and seatbelt buckles of rental cars. Of those 9.1% were MRSA
• MRSA was isolated from 100% of subways, buses, planes and trains sampled
• In three airplanes tested, 60% of tray tables sampled harbored MRSA
• In offices samples taken from desktops and phones at various businesses, 33% contained MRSA
• Interestingly, only 6.3% of public restroom samples were positive for S. aureus and MRSA

As concerning as these statistics may seem, it is very reassuring to know how common this bacteria is found in our environment and on our bodies, yet serious infection is very rare. While there may be some deaths from this, it is estimated that 35,000 people will die from influenza this year. So a flu shot should be more highly considered than worry for this bacteria. Further, there are many things you can do to protect you and your family from contracting a Staph infection:

• Wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based sanitizer (with a greater than 62% alcohol content)
• Use antibacterial wipes on surfaces before handling objects shared by the public (shopping cart handles, rental car steering wheels, airplane trays)
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with bandages until healed
• Do not touch other people’s cuts or bandages
• Do not share personal items such as towels or razors
• Shower after playing team sports
• Do not expect antibiotics for viral infections such as the common cold. Remember that antibiotics are useful in treating bacterial infections (for example, strep throat, sinus infections, urinary tract infections) but they have no effect whatsoever

Most importantly, if you think you have a Staph infection, seek medical care. A simple culture of the wound can differentiate between Staph. aureas and MRSA, and assure that the proper antibiotic is chosen to treat your infection.