MRSA spread by direct physical contact
by JILL SCHMELZER Ken-Ton Editor

The infection, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is commonly spread through direct skin-to-skin contact and openings such as cuts, abrasions and poor hygiene, according to a letter from the State Health Department.

The skin infections are generally minor and first appear as pimples, boils or similar conditions. MRSA can be resistant to certain antibodies and, if left untreated, can develop into a more serious staph infection.

Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Anthony Billittier said the public health issue that MRSA poses is not, what he calls, a "super bug."

"People have been getting boils forever, so this is not something that is new or unique," Billittier said.

The issue, he added, is that this particular strain of staph has developed a resistance to penicillin.

"MRSA is not new despite what the national media has said," Billittier said, noting that the treatment of the abscess is to make a small incision and drain the puss.

The only way to know if the boil contained the MRSA bacteria is to send it in for a culture, Billittier said. If it is the staph infection, then doctors may prescribe an antibiotic that would be used for an ear, nose and throat infection.

"They have been proven effective," the commissioner said.

To prevent the spread of MRSA, people should wash their hands, which, Billittier said, is good practice for prevention of all infectious diseases; avoid contact with people who have lesions; and keep cuts clean by using soap and water.

Staph and MRSA is usually spread by direct physical contact with the bacteria. The spread of infections can be prevented by following some basic hygiene rules:

• Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered until healed.

• Avoid contact with other people's wounds. • Do not share personal items such as clothing, towels, lip balms or soap.