MRSA is a word you may have heard on the news, which sounds foreign and scary. We don’t want to alarm you, but this is something you should be aware of. The Methicillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus Aureus is a byproduct of excessive mutation of bacteria. Because of it’s mutant properties, some antibiotics used to treat a regular staph infection will have no effect on a MRSA infection. Here, we can talk about who can contract MRSA, where it’s likely to be, what the symptoms looks like, and how you can treat and prevent it.
Workers who are frequently near those with MRSA, staph-infected people and animals are at risk for infection. More common workplaces where staph is found are in hospitals, healthcare facilities, correctional facilities, daycares, and veterinary clinics.
MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact, and even contact with someone else’s items such as towels that have been in contact with another person’s infected area. MRSA can even be transmitted by animals, although it is more likely for an animal to contract MRSA from a human.
When someone is infected when Staph, the area of infection becomes swollen and painful to the touch. Pus begins to accumulate and can also begin draining. Staph can spread to the bloodstream, lungs and even heart. Occasionally, a staph infection can cause septic shock, which is an inflammation of the whole body, which can lead to death. Treatment for MRSA is difficult because it can be resistant to many different types of drugs, including methicillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. This makes for a longer road to recovery, and can even become fatal.
Since MRSA is so hard to treat, the single handedly – no pun intended – most effective way of preventing MRSA is by thoroughly and properly washing your hands. Since the infection is contracted through skin-to-skin contact, it is of upmost importance to practice good hygiene wherever you go, especially in the workplace where you come into contact with many people.
Another important thing you can do is properly cover any cuts and wounds you may have, as leaving it uncovered will invite Staph to enter. If you are diagnosed with MRSA or Staph, be sure to keep the infected area covered as well, and make sure you have clean bandages on it constantly, especially when the pus is draining. If any clothing has been in contact with MRSA, be sure to wash your items in laundry detergent, and then throw them in the dryer, to kill off any remaining bacteria.
Last, but definitely not least, if you are a business owner, you can help prevent the spread of MRSA in your workplace by creating a cleaner and more health conscious environment. Perhaps consider a no touch faucet, or soap dispenser to make it easier for your employees to keep their hands clean. If you’re unsure about a proper solution, be sure to give Business Hygiene a call (512) 396–3486, or e-mail us at [email protected]. We offer effective solutions for making your workplace, a cleaner place.
