Keeping Your Kids Clear of MRSA
by Tara Kompare

Keeping Your Kids Clear of MRSA
August 2008

If you would have asked me five years ago if parents and teachers would know what "MRSA" stood for, I would have exclaimed a definitive "No. Thank Goodness!" That's because community acquired MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus) used to be a rarity. Now, unfortunately, I have seen more cases of it than I ever imagined. Hopefully the following facts will help keep you kids clear of this bad bacteria in the upcoming school year.

What is MRSA? MRSA is a type of bacteria that is very resistant to most antibiotics. It used to be seen mainly in a hospital setting but more recently is making a grand entrance into the community. This type of skin infection often resembles pimples or boils which may be very tender, painful, and oozy. What is so dangerous is that this infection of the skin can travel deeper, into the bones, blood stream, heart, and lungs which can cause life-threatening infections even in otherwise healthy individuals.

How is MRSA transmitted? MRSA enters the skin usually through a cut or scrape and is transmitted via direct skin-to-skin contact. Some of the risk factors for acquiring community-associated MRSA include:

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