With the current rise of MRSA in the community and schools,
the following is a short Q&A that may be useful at home and at school.

What does MRSA look like?
MRSA is primarily a skin lesion. It often resemble a pimple, boil or spider bite, but it quickly worsens into an abscess or puss-filled blister or sore. Patients who
have sores that won't heal or are filled with pus should see a doctor and ask to be tested for staph infection. They should not squeeze the sore or try to drain it;
this could cause the infection to spread to other parts of the skin or deepen into the body.

What can teachers do to help control MRSA?
Teachers can obseve children for open wounds, if any are draining or contain pus, send them to the nurse. Hand washing should be encourged before eating and after toileting. Coaches should ensure that athletes wash their hands, cover their wounds, and not share personal items or towels.

What can parents do to help control MRSA?
Parents should make sure that wounds are clean and are covered with a clean dry bandage. Wounds that do not heal properly before eating and after toileting. Be sure family members use antibiotics properly. Take all that are prescribed, even if the symptons stop before the prescription is used up. Do not share prescriptions. Children who participate in sporting events should wash their hands after each practice and game. They should not share equipment, uniforms, towels, water bottles, or other personal items.

What is our school doing to prevent the spread of MRSA?
Our custodial staff has already responded to the reported increase in community acquired MRSA. The gym lockers are being wiped down daily with an approved MRSA effective disinfectant. In addition the computer lab keyboards are being disinfected daily. As always, all sinks and toilets are disinfected daily. Hand sanitizer stations have been ordered for each teacher and antibacterial hand sanitizer stations have been ordered and will be mounted in the computer labs and gym locker rooms.