Information released on staph, strep
With
the onset of colder weather, people seem to be more prone to colds and other
infections. Two of these infections, which have caused parents concern because
they are so contagious, are staph and strep.
A
three-page document giving parents information about Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus has been released by the
California Department of Public Health. The “Parent’s Guide to MRSA in
California: What You Need to Know,” is now available in 23 languages, according
to Jack O’Connell, state superintendent of Public Instruction, who said the
brochure is being distributed at public schools.
The
booklet also includes information about staph infections and answers questions
asked by concerned parents and education officials about how it could be
treated.
For
example, MRSA is resistant to penicillin and other antibiotics and more than
half of all staph infections are caused by MRSA. It is spread by direct
skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or by touching towels, athletic
equipment or used bandages.
Doctors
treat the infection by draining the red bumpy sores, which sometimes look like
boils or spider bites.
About
25 to 30 percent of people in the United States, which is about one out of
every 100 persons, carry staph in their nose, but it does not make them sick.
Staph
also can be carried in the armpit, groin, rectum or genital area. Staph can
cause serious infections such as pneumonia, blood, joint,
and deep skin infections.
Details
are given in the brochure about when schools should be closed and disinfected
and the easiest ways to prevent MRSA and staph infections.
The booklet and other similar
documents also are available online at
www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/discond/Pages/MRSA.aspx.