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No it’s not a mosquito bite or a bee sting; more than likely you’ve
been infected by the superbug, aka staph. Parents take heed because
there’s a staph infection epidemic and your child’s day care, school,
or the YMCA could be at risk. Staph (staphylococcus aureus) are
bacteria found on the skin of relatively healthy people and are the
most common cause of infection in the U.S.
The infected area
looks like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful, or have
pus or other drainage — symptoms closely associated with abscesses.
There’s no need to panic; these bacterial infections can be avoided if
your environment is sanitized and good hygiene is practiced.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is particularly
concerned with MRSA (pronounced Mersa), which is an acronym for
methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. This strain is
drug-resistant and spreads like the common cold. Health officials
reason that the strain’s drug resistance developed from the public’s
increased use of antibiotics like oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin
to treat other infections.
The CDC reported that in 2005, there were 94,000 cases of MRSA
infections and 18,000 deaths. The outbreak in schools is linked to
locker rooms and gym mats, which are breeding grounds for MRSA. In
response, CDC officials have taken steps to distribute prevention
information to schools and athletic associations across the country.
The CDC’s director, Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, predicts that an estimated
200 children per year will contract MRSA.
If you suspect that you have the staph infection, immediately make an
appointment with your physician. The infection may be more serious than
you realize and could lead to pneumonia, bloodstream infections or
urinary tract infections. Do not attempt to drain the pus. Keep wounds
that are draining or have pus covered with a clean, dry bandage. It’s
also a good practice to wash soiled sheets, towels, and clothes in hot
water and place them in a dryer on high heat to kill the bacteria. – yvette caslin
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa.html.
