Student Health Services

Health Updates

HOW TO AVOID MRSA
(Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

Keep in mind that Staphlococcal infections (staph infections) are fairly common and can occur in any environment. Most are treated successfully and are not life-threatening. Only a small percentage are resistant to SOME antibiotics. The key is prevention.

The CDC has developed the 5C's; the common settings or conditions in which MRSA is more likely to be transmitted. Those are: Crowding, frequent skin-to-skin Contact, Compromised skin (i.e., cuts, abrasions), Contaminated items and surfaces and Cleanliness. The 5C's most commonly occur in such places as schools, residence halls, military barracks, households, correctional facilities and daycare centers.

You can protect yourself by:

• Practicing good hygiene! Keep your hands clean by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Showering immediately after participating in sports activity or exercise will also reduce the chances of contracting MRSA

• Cover up! Keep cuts or abrasions covered with a clean dry bandage until healed.

• Avoid sharing personal items! Do not share personal items such as towels, dirty clothes, razors, etc., and use clothing or a towel between your skin and shared equipment.

• Maintain a clean environment! Frequently clean any surfaces that come into direct contact with anyone's skin.

• Keep your room clean! Launder soiled clothes and bed sheets as often as needed (that doesn't mean once per semester). Remember that leaving dirty towels and sweaty socks on the floor could be a habitat for germs like MRSA.

• See your health care provider! Have any wound or abrasion checked by a health care provider. Several effective antibiotics can be prescribed. University of Scranton Student Health Services has seen and successfully treated a small number of cases of MRSA.

While these tips do not guarantee that you can never contract an infection, they will greatly reduce your risk.