Prevention against staph has new guidelines
By KATIE WALDROP Staff Writer

The Texas Department of State Health Services has released new guidelines to help prevent the spread of staphylococcal infections.

The guidelines, "Prevention and Containment of Staphylococcal Infections in Communities," include checklists for athletic departments, schools, child care settings, dormitories, group homes, gyms and spas, homes, salons, workplaces and youth camps.

Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to as "staph," are bacteria that can cause skin infections that are often initially mistaken for insect or spider bites. Staph bacteria are spread through person-to-person contact or contact with contaminated surfaces.

Symptoms of serious infection include fever or persistent draining, bleeding or red streaks at the infected site. The bacteria also can cause lifethreatening conditions such as pneumonia and bloodstream infections.

Some staph called methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureaus, or MRSA, are resistant to commonly used antibiotics.

"Regular hand washing is the best way to prevent staph transmission," said Marilyn Felkner, a DSHS epidemiologist.

"Getting back to the basics - using soap and water, or hand sanitizer - is essential in facilities where people work, live and play close together," said Felkner.

DSHS recommends the following guidelines to avoid infection:

• Practice good hygiene, especially regular hand washing.

• Do not share personal items such as towels or razors.

• Thoroughly clean shared items - toys, telephones, keyboards - using a 1:100 bleachwater solution.

• Cover open wounds or cuts with a clean, dry bandage.

• Seek medical attention if symptoms occur.

• Schools and employers in close-contact settings should create infection containment policies and provide prevention information to employees.

The JISD athletic department has already taken the initiative to prevent the spread of staph.

"The students are educated on proper hygiene and are encouraged to see me if they have a cut or scrape, so that we can keep it disinfected and covered for practices and games," said Certified Athletic Trainer Joe Guthrie.

The locker rooms are fogged once a week with a formula that kills bacteria, including staphylococcus. They clean and disinfect the floors, benches, weight room, athletic training room, bathrooms, and showers on a daily basis.

Guthrie said athletes' uniforms and practice clothes are washed on a daily basis using hot water and the strongest rated detergent to kill bacteria.

The athletic training room is wiped down several times a day. When an athlete sits on a table and then leaves, the table is immediately wiped down with disinfectant.

There are mounted hand sanitizers in every room of the field house so that students can sanitize their hands often.

"There have been few infections this year because the students come to me and communicate when they think they have an infection. If an athlete has a staph infection they are not allowed to participate in any contact with other athletes, their clothes are isolated, and they are sent to the doctor," continued Guthrie.

More guidelines are available at www.mrsaTexas.org.