Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.keloland.com/News/NewsDetail6374.cfm?Id=90460
09/24/2009 5:52 PM
Washington High School Has Case Of MRSA
Among all its efforts to keep the flu away, the Sioux Falls public school district is now dealing with the news that a student has contracted a drug-resistant, highly-contagious, staph infection, known as MRSA.
MRSA is a bacteria and not a disease. However, it can easily be spread through cuts and scrapes. People were once only infected while in the hospital. But it's become more widespread, more common among sports teams, and now throughout communities.
The Sioux Falls School District says the single current case of MRSA is a Washington High School student who's on the volleyball team. Now the district is taking steps to ensure the bacteria doesn't spread any further.
"We do what we normally do. We use hospital grade disinfectants that would take care of the MRSA and we do disinfect and clean our areas like we normally do," Sheila Freed said.
Freed is the Health Services Supervisor for the Sioux Falls School District. She says while it's unknown how or where the student came in contact with the MRSA bacteria, it can spread easily, especially among athletes.
"Because if you think of the activity and the way sports work, as far as the rough and tumble and scrapes, so you have some open areas, maybe even if they're just little nicks," Freed said.
The Sioux Falls School District adds that this is another example of why students must always practice proper hygiene.
But Freed also notes that students aren't the only ones who should take steps to protect themselves from MRSA. Everyone should cover scrapes, and if it doesn't appear to get better after a few days, it's time to talk to a doctor.
"MRSA is now a community acquired infection that you can get pretty much any place,? Freed said.
The district is also warning athletes not to share personal items such as a towel, jersey or razors. They also encourage athletes to wash their clothes and shower after each practice.
09/24/2009 5:52 PM
Washington High School Has Case Of MRSA
Among all its efforts to keep the flu away, the Sioux Falls public school district is now dealing with the news that a student has contracted a drug-resistant, highly-contagious, staph infection, known as MRSA.
MRSA is a bacteria and not a disease. However, it can easily be spread through cuts and scrapes. People were once only infected while in the hospital. But it's become more widespread, more common among sports teams, and now throughout communities.
The Sioux Falls School District says the single current case of MRSA is a Washington High School student who's on the volleyball team. Now the district is taking steps to ensure the bacteria doesn't spread any further.
"We do what we normally do. We use hospital grade disinfectants that would take care of the MRSA and we do disinfect and clean our areas like we normally do," Sheila Freed said.
Freed is the Health Services Supervisor for the Sioux Falls School District. She says while it's unknown how or where the student came in contact with the MRSA bacteria, it can spread easily, especially among athletes.
"Because if you think of the activity and the way sports work, as far as the rough and tumble and scrapes, so you have some open areas, maybe even if they're just little nicks," Freed said.
The Sioux Falls School District adds that this is another example of why students must always practice proper hygiene.
But Freed also notes that students aren't the only ones who should take steps to protect themselves from MRSA. Everyone should cover scrapes, and if it doesn't appear to get better after a few days, it's time to talk to a doctor.
"MRSA is now a community acquired infection that you can get pretty much any place,? Freed said.
The district is also warning athletes not to share personal items such as a towel, jersey or razors. They also encourage athletes to wash their clothes and shower after each practice.