|
Health and Safety |
Information on
Staphylococcal Infections
Instructions
for the Athlete
This information is provided to assist you in the control and
prevention of staphylococcal (commonly called staph)
infections. These infections usually are easy to treat with inexpensive,
well-tolerated antibiotics. However, some staph
bacteria have developed resistance; that is, the
antibiotics can no longer kill the bacteria. Although antibiotic-resistant
infections pose a significant health threat, the following measures are
effective against many other infectious diseases.
WHAT IS A STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTION?
Staphylococcus aureus commonly causes
boils and soft-tissue infections as well as more serious conditions such as
pneumonia or bloodstream infections. According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), twenty to thirty-five percent of adults and
children in the
Methicillin resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) A MRSA (often pronounced
mer-sa) infection, unlike a common Staphylococcus aureus infection, cannot be treated with methicillin-related antibiotics (such as penicillin). The
treatment may be longer, expensive, more complicated, and infections can
reappear frequently. Originally, MRSA was limited to hospitals and long-term
care facilities. In the past few years, sporadic reports of MRSA not associated
with the medical environment have been confirmed. Since the summer of 2002,
MRSA outbreaks associated with sports teams have been reported. These outbreaks
have included wrestling, volleyball, and most frequently, football teams.
STRATEGIES TO PREVENT STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTIONS
HAND WASHING IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT BEHAVIOR IN PREVENTING
INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
The proper way to wash your hands:
1. Use warm water.
2. Wet your hands and wrists.
3. Using a bar or liquid soap.
4. Work soap into a lather and wash between fingers, up to wrists, and under
fingernails for at least 15 seconds.
5. Dry, using a clean cloth towel or paper towel.
6. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers to wash hands immediately if they come in
contact with any body fluid at the playing field or other places where
hand-washing facilities are not available.
Wash your hands as described above:
1. After sneezing, blowing, or touching your nose.
2. Before and after close contact or using the toilet.
3. Before leaving the athletic area.
OTHER PRECAUTIONS
1. Keep your hands away from
your nose and groin.
2. Do not share towels, soap, lotion or other personal care items, even on the
sidelines at games.
3. Shower with soap and water as soon as possible after direct contact sports
4. Dry using a clean, dry towel.
5. Use a moisturizing lotion to prevent dry, cracked skin.
6. Prewash or rinse with plain water items that have
been grossly contaminated with body fluids.
7. Wash your towels, uniforms, scrimmage shirts, and any other laundry in hot
water and ordinary detergent and dry on the hottest possible cycle.
8. Inform your parents of these precautions if laundry is sent home.
9. More specific directions may be provided by your athletic trainer or coach.
HOW TO CARE FOR DRAINING WOUNDS
MRSA may be more difficult to treat. However, treatment
is usually successful after prompt, appropriate evaluation by a doctor or
clinic and when the correct antibiotic(s) (if indicated) is prescribed. Other
types of treatments may be indicated.
WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN
A physician or advanced practitioner should examine the wound. A
culture and susceptibility test should be performed to determine what bacteria
you have and what antibiotic would be the most effective with the fewest side
effects. If the practitioner determines you do not have a bacterial infection,
you will not receive an antibiotic. Antibiotics are not effective against
non-bacterial infections.
1. Take all medication even after the infection seems to have
healed.
2. If a topical ointment is prescribed, apply as directed.
3. Follow all other directions the physician/practitioner gives you.
4. Inform the physician/practitioner if you are not responding to treatment.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF
WOUNDS AT HOME
1. Avoid direct contact with
others until the wound is no longer draining and you have been instructed by your
physician to resume your usual activities.
2. Wash your hands frequently, especially before and after changing band-aids,
bandages, or wound dressings.
3. Keep the wound covered. The dressing must be changed at least twice a day;
or, more frequently, if drainage is apparent.
4. All disposable materials that come into contact with the wound (including
dressings or bandages) need to be placed in a separate plastic bag and closed
before being disposed of in the household trash. Wash your hands after removing
and disposing of the soiled dressing.
5. Use isopropyl alcohol (available at pharmacies or grocery stores) to
disinfect reusable materials, such as scissors or tweezers after each use.
6. All items that come in contact with the wound must be disinfected with a
fresh (prepared daily) mix of one tablespoon of household bleach to one quart
of water or a phenol-containing product such as Lysol¨ or Pine-sol¨. Use a
phenol-containing spray to disinfect any cloth or upholstered surface. Other
commercially available products may be appropriate.
7. Have a designated chair or area for sitting. It should have a hard surface
or an easily cleaned plastic or similar cover for easy disinfection. No one
else should sit there until the wound has healed completely.
8. Utensils and dishes should be washed in the usual manner with soap and hot
water or using a standard home dishwasher.
9. Carry laundry away from the body in a plastic or other lined bag that will
not allow wet articles to drain through.
10. Handle and launder all clothing, towels, and linens that come in contact
with the wound separately from those of other members of the household. Use a
separate hamper.
11. Articles that come in contact with the wound should be washed in hot water
with the usual detergent.
12. Dry clothes thoroughly using the hottest setting.
13. Towels and linens should be changed daily.
14. Do not share ointments or antibiotics.
AT SCHOOL
1. Follow any instructions
that your athletic trainer, coach, or school nurse give you regarding direct contact
with other persons at school.
2. Carry and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not
available.
3.
4. Do not take antibiotics to prevent an infection.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
When in doubt of the correct procedure to follow,
contact your healthcare provider, your local or regional health department, or
the Texas Department of Health.