 It is all around you: in nature, on clients, and contaminated objects  It is contagious  To protect yourself and your client  To protect your family  To take measures to keep your environment as risk free as possible

 MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus)  Affectionately termed a Super Bug  An infection that is obtained either in the community (CA) or in a medical setting (HA)  The infection is resistant to regular antibiotic treatments  Highly contagious

 Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics. In the community, most MRSA infections are skin infections.

MRSA infections that are acquired by persons who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are known as community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Community outbreaks have been reported in sports teams, child care attendees, prison inmates, and diverse populations where habitation is relatively concentrated.

 In medical facilities, MRSA causes life- threatening bloodstream infections, pneumonia and surgical site infections.

The CDC defines hospital-acquired MRSA (HA- MRSA) in persons who have had frequent or recent contact with hospitals or healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes or dialysis centers) within the previous year, have recently undergone an invasive medical procedure, or are immunocompromised.

Although HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA have distinct clinical differences, both are transmitted in the same fashion—most frequently through direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces (such as towels or bandages) that have come into contact with someone else’s colonized or infected skin.

 Mode of transmission: contact with nasal carriers, draining lesions, purulent discharge, person to person, contaminated food (undercooked meat, raw milk), mother to infant  Incubation period: commonly 4-10 days, but can be months from exposure

Your health care provider will be able to run lab tests to see if you have MRSA. If you have an infection on the skin, your doctor will take a culture from the infected area. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor also might test your blood, urine, or sputum (mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract).

The symptoms of MRSA depend on where you're infected. Most often, it causes mild infections on the skin, like sores or boils. But it can also cause more serious skin infections or infect surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs, or the urinary tract.

MRSA may be more easily transmitted when the following five Cs are present: Crowding Frequent skin-to-skin Contact Compromised skin (cuts or abrasions) Contaminated items and surfaces Lack of Cleanliness.

MRSA is treatable. By definition, MRSA is resistant to some antibiotics. But other kinds of antibiotics still work. Some of these antibiotics are only available intravenously. Unfortunately, there is emerging antibiotic resistance being seen with some of these medications. It is ESSENTIAL, that all antibiotics are taken completely!!! Do not save or share with others.

Should People with MRSA Infections be Prevented from Going to Public Places? It is not necessary for people with MRSA to be excluded from attending schools, gyms, saunas, or other public places. Everyone, infected or not, should perform proper hygiene and keep wounds adequately covered. Institutions do not need to be closed for disinfection after a case of MRSA is identified.

MRSA is a tough problem, and it shows signs of getting tougher. Here's how you can protect yourself and your family: Wash your hands frequently, with soap and water for at least 15 seconds or an alcohol-based rub. Don’t share personal items like razors or towels. Avoid direct contact with infected individuals.

 Choose cleaning solution and disinfectant that clearly states it kills staphylococcus  Apply solution to either surface or to cloth  Clean all horizontal surfaces in the room ensuring that the cloth is changed when soiled.  Place used cloth in a marked plastic-lined waste receptacle.  Disinfect all horizontal surface of the room by reapplying the disinfecting solution and allowing for the appropriate contact time.  If using cloth & bucket method, once room has been cleaned discard all unused cleaning solution before proceeding to the disinfection step.  Allow to air dry or wipe dry if surfaces are still wet after the contact time.  Periodic rinsing of soft surfaces such as vinyl or naugahyde is  suggested.

Surfaces to Clean  Focus on surfaces that touch people’s bare skin each day and any surfaces that could come into contact with uncovered infections.  Large surfaces such as floors and walls have not been directly associated in the spread of staph and MRSA.  There is no evidence that spraying or fogging rooms or surfaces with disinfectants will prevent MRSA infections more effectively than the targeted approach of cleaning frequently touched surfaces and any surfaces that have been exposed to infections.

Protect yourself. Put wet or soiled laundry in a plastic bag while wearing gloves. Wear gloves while handling all dirty laundry. Wash your hands after removing gloves. How to do laundry. Use the warmest water recommended on detergent and clothing labels. Laundry may not get clean if the washer is packed too full of clothes. Machine dry completely

1. Wash your hands often. 2. Take care of yourself: Eat right, exercise, quit smoking, and avoid stress. 3. Take good care of your skin. 4. Keep skin infections covered to avoid spreading MRSA to others. 5. Talk with your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.