Health

MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph", are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Some S. aureus are resistant to the class of antibiotics that are frequently used to treat staph such as methicillin--and thus are called methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).

S. aureus (staph) including MRSA can be spread among people having close contact with infected people. MRSA is almost always spread by direct physical contact and not through the air. Spread may also occur through indirect contact by touching objects (e.g., equipment) contaminated by the infected skin of a person with staph bacteria or MRSA.

Just as S. aureus can be carried on the skin or in the nose without causing any disease, MRSA can be carried in this way also. This is known as colonization.

MRSA infections are usually mild, superficial infections of the skin that can be treated successfully with proper skin care and antibiotics. MRSA, however, can be difficult to treat and can progress to life-threatening blood or bone infections because there are fewer effective antibiotics available for treatment.

The best way to prevent skin infections is simple--wash your hands. Washing your hands often with soap and warm water also helps prevent colds and flu. Antibacterial soaps are not needed.

MRSA infections happen most often in nursing homes and hospitals, where people are recovering from surgery. But more and more cases are showing up among people of all ages in the community. These "community cases" of MRSA can often be treated effectively with other kinds of antibiotics.

Some common skin infections caused by staph are:

• Boils--tender, red lumps that swell and get white heads like very big pimples. Boils form on oily or moist skin such as the neck, armpits, groin, and buttock. They may break open and ooze pus or blood.
• Impetigo--blisters with fluid in them, which pop and get a yellow crust. Children often get it on the face. It can be spread by scratching.
• Infected hair roots (follicles)--small bumps under the skin at the base of the hair. They may itch.

Skin infections should be brought to the attention of your health care provider so they don't spread or cause more serious problems.

Only taker antibiotics when they are prescribed by your health care provider. Taking them when they are not needed can create stronger germs, like MRSA. And if you get a prescription, always finish the whole bottle--the last few pills kill the toughest germs.

• Wash cuts, scrapes and sores with soap and water, then keep them clean and dry. Cover them with bandages until they are healed.
• Avoid contact with other people's cuts or sores and any materials that have come in contact with them.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as soap, towels, and razors.
• Clean and wash sports clothing and equipment after each use.

• You have signs of infection, such as pain, redness, swelling and heat, and oozing pus or blood.
• New symptoms develop during or after you get treated.

You can prevent spreading an MRSA infection to those you live with or others around you by following these steps:

Keep infections, particularly those that continue to produce pus or to drain material, covered with clean, dry bandages. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions on proper care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain MRSA and spread the bacteria to others. Advise your family and other close contacts to wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially if they change your bandages or touch the infected wound or potentially infectious materials. Avoid sharing personal items (e.g., towels, washcloth, razor, clothing, or uniforms) that may have had contact with the infected wound and potentially infectious material. Wash linens and clothes that become soiled with hot water and laundry detergent. Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes. Tell any healthcare providers who treat you that you have an antibiotic-resistant staph skin infection.

How you can get it

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is hardy and easier to "catch" than you might realize. HBV is found mainly in blood and body fluids. In certain situations, it is up to 100 times more contagious than HIV the virus that causes AIDS. Hepatitis B virus can survive on surfaces for up to 1 month in some instances increasing your chances of infection. There are an estimated 1 to 1.25 million persons with chronic HBV infection in the United States that are infectious to others.

It can make you very sick

Hepatitis B attacks your liver and can make you extremely ill. Some patients even require hospitalization. The disease can lead to cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. Each year there are up to 150,000 new infections with hepatitis B and about 4,000 people die due to hepatitis B-related chronic liver disease in the United States.

It can be prevented

Protect yourself and your children with hepatitis B vaccination ...preventing chronic hepatitis B infection can reduce the risk of primary liver cancer. Many don't have the hepatitis B protection they need

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends:

• Universal vaccination for all infants
• Vaccination of all infants, children and adolescents from birth to age 18
• Vaccination for at-risk adults

Just 3 shots of vaccine provide protection

• Soreness, swelling and redness at the site of injection are the most common side effects

To find out if hepatitis B vaccination is right for you, contact your doctor

Senate Bill (SB) 31 requires a school district to provide information relating to bacterial meningitis to its students and their parents each school year. Districts are instructed to post the attached information on their district website as an expedient means to do so.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord---also called the meninges. It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral (aseptic) meningitis is common; most people recover fully. Medical management of viral meningitis consists of supportive treatment and there is usually no indication for the use of antibiotics. Parasitic and fungal meningitis are very rare. Bacterial meningitis is very serious and may involve complicated medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, and life support management.

There are two common types of bacteria that cause meningitis:

Strep pneumoniae causes pneumococcal meningitis; there are over 80 subtypes that cause illness Neisseria meningitidis-meningococcal meningitis; there are 5 subtypes that cause serious illness-A, B, C, V, W-135

Someone with meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over one or two days, but it can also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not everyone with meningitis will have the same symptoms.

Children (over 1 year old) and adults with meningitis may have:

• Severe headache
• High temperature
• Vomiting
• Sensitivity to bright lights
• Neck stiffness, joint pains
• Drowsiness or confusion

*In both children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots or bruises caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur anywhere on the body. They are a sign of blood poisoning (septicemia), which sometimes happens with meningitis, particularly the meningococcal strain.

If it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, the majority of people make a complete recovery. In some cases it can be fatal or a person may be left with a permanent disability, such as deafness, blindness, amputations or brain damage (resulting in mental retardation or paralysis) even with prompt treatment.

Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as diseases like the common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. The germs live naturally in the back of our noses and throats, but they do not live for long outside the body. They are spread when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing; sharing drinking containers, utensils, or cigarettes).

The germ does not cause meningitis in most people. Instead, most people become carriers of the germ for days, weeks or even months. Being a carrier helps to stimulate your body's natural defense system.

The bacteria rarely overcomes the body's immune system and causes meningitis or another serious illness.

The risk of getting bacterial meningitis in all age groups is about 2.4 cases per 100,000 population per year. However, the highest risk group for the most serious form of the disease, meningococcal meningitis, is highest among children 2 to 18 years old.

The diagnosis is usually based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood. Spinal fluid is obtained by a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).

Do not share food, drinks, utensils, toothbrushes. or cigarettes. Limit the number of persons you kiss.

Vaccines against pneumococcal disease are recommended both for young children and adults over 64. A vaccine against four meningococcal serogroups (A, C, V, W-135) is available. These four groups cause the majority of meningococcal cases in the United States. This vaccine is recommended by some groups for college students, particularly freshmen living in dorms or residence halls. The vaccine is safe and effective (85-90%). It can cause mild side effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up to two days. Immunity develops within 7 to 10 days after the vaccine is given and lasts for up to 5 years.

Seek prompt medical attention.

Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local or regional health department office are excellent sources for information on all communicable diseases. You may also call your local health department or Regional Texas Department of Health office to ask about meningococcal vaccine. Additional information may also be found at the web sites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov and the Texas Department of Health: www.tdh.state.tx.us.