Five Steps to Take to Prevent Staph Infections

Staph infections have invaded hospitals, ravaging those already unable to defend themselves. But staph infections have gone one better, they are now invading schools not only in other parts of the country, but also in the midlands. Students from both ends of the state of Nebraska from Omaha and Lincoln to the Panhandle have been diagnosed with staph infections, causing schools to clean and disinfect their buildings to prevent staph infections from spreading. Those facilities with small children are keeping a close watch and taking steps to prevent a breakout. --Kearney Hub.

Staph refers to the staphylococcus aureus bacteria. This bacterium is common on the human skin, but when it slips into the body through a scrape or sore or other opening, Staph infection may occur and can be serious-especially since there is also a strain, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), resistant to treatment.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, caused more than 94,000 life-threatening infections and nearly 19,000 deaths in the United States in 2005, most of them connected with healthcare settings."

This number appears to be increasing as schools along with hospitals are hit with Staph infections, even in small-town Nebraska. But there are ways to prevent staph infections and, when an outbreak occurs, ways to treat it and to keep it from spreading to others.

One of the best steps you can take to prevent infections is to regularly wash your hands with soap and water. In our busy lives, we often miss this simple step that was so carefully taught to earlier generations. My parent's generation understood how important such a step was in preventing infections and in keeping them from causing wide-spread disaster.

Step two is to keep clothes and towels clean, especially with regard to athletic gear. No storing those socks in the locker until they stand up by themselves. That's a staph infection waiting to happen. Simple rules of cleanliness of body and clothing helps prevent staph infections from attacking and spreading.

This one is difficult to get through to children used to sharing each others things. A third step in the prevention of staph infections is not to share personal supplies such as towels, soap, makeup, and hair products.

Step four, if your child does end up with a scrape or open sore of any kind, make sure to clean and cover it. Also be sure to let adults such as parents, coach, or a nurse know if an insect (like a spider) bite festers or if a bump or boil on the skin is sore.

Step five, wipe down any equipment used, especially where it is used in a setting with other people.

Five simple steps to prevent staph infections, all revolving around one thing--keeping clean. It is something parents and other authority figures need to start modeling more consistently to prevent staph infections from gaining a foothold in your hospital, school or home. The TV character of Monk has that one right, simple rules of cleanliness are the foundation for health and well being.