Take steps to avoid staph

To the editor:

Recent reports of staph infection outbreaks, especially Methicillin Resistant Staphyloccocus Aureus (MRSA), have many people confused and concerned about what this “new” bacterium is. MRSA has been around for a long time. The current concern about it is that outbreaks are now occurring more frequently in the general population. A few basic hygiene and safety procedures can greatly reduce your risk of infection.

Wash your hands with soap and water. This basic precaution is often poorly performed or even skipped by those who are in a hurry or unaware of its importance. For optimum benefit, you should lather up and wash vigorously for at least 20 to 30 seconds and then rinse well with warm water.

Dry your hands well as germs stick to damp surfaces more easily.

Keep sinks, countertops, toilets, etc., clean and sanitized. Remember to disinfect items such as telephones, headsets, tops of desks, and other hard surface items that get handled frequently.

Wash your clothing frequently and try to avoid contact with soiled items that may be contaminated.

Keep items such as purses and briefcases off of counters and tabletops. Such items can pick up germs from floors and other surfaces and transfer them when they touch another surface.

As much as we all love money, remember that it is well traveled and handled by lots of people during its lifetime. Always wash after handling it.

Any break in the skin can allow germs to get into your system. The cut doesn’t have to be major to be a potential problem.

Always wash cuts well and cover them with a clean bandage until they heal. Change the bandage every day and check the cut for signs of pus or infection. Contact a doctor if an infection occurs.

If you contract a viral infection, do not demand an antibiotic from your doctor. Antibiotics have no impact on viruses, but their improper use leads to more drug resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA.

Children and athletes, and others who routinely have close contact with others, can be at risk because of their frequent skin-to-skin contact. You should be diligent in practicing good hygiene.

—Mary Turner
Learning Support Specialist