Staph Infection Breakout Closes School in Jonesboro, Arkansas

Our local news station has been covering this story for the past 2 weeks. It is rumored that 10 cases were identified in students at Westside School District in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The district voluntarily closed the school down on Friday and began scrubbing all of its surfaces. The school reopened the following Monday and has reported 2 more cases since. The district is being commended for its actions against this highly contagious skin lesion.

*Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are often simply called "staph" (pronounced "staff") bacteria. Staph bacteria can live harmlessly on many skin surfaces, especially around the nose, mouth, genitals, and rectum. But when the skin is punctured or broken for any reason, staph bacteria can enter the wound and cause an infection.

In addition to skin infections, staph bacteria can cause infections in the blood, in the bones and in the lungs (pneumonia). Most serious staph bacteria infections are treated with an antibiotic related to penicillin. However, over the past 50 years, some staph bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, including the commonly used penicillin-related antibiotics. These resistant bacteria are called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. * www.beta-glucan-info.com/staph-infection.htm

I would like to add to the above description that the bacteria is found in dirt according to local doctors. I also found out the hard way that spiders can transfer the bacteria in a bite which makes me wonder if mosquitoes are the culprit in my daughters case. So far the antibiotic are working on this local strain but be aware that the resistant strain will put you in the hospital. Also, severe cases have not been reported locally but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Hospitals don't want the general public to know if staff is present in their facility.

From my own experience this is a very painful infection that forms like a pimple at first and then overnight becomes a huge boil surrounded by redness that can cover a large area. Doctors will prescribe antibiotic to treat the infection but will not try to lance the area at first because of the infectious nature. I have been told by some doctors to keep the boil covered and let the boil pop on its own. Others have told me that it would lessen the risk of spreading if I popped it rather than risking the wound opening during the night and the contents getting on other body parts. I decided to pop them on my children despite their bloody murder screams. I used rubber gloves and covered the area with a paper towel before I squeezed to prevent the thick yellow ooze from getting on anything else. Do to the pain I had to be fast and accurate! I got out as much as possible the first time but would have to repeat the procedure a second or third time. The antibiotics kick in fast and the wound can heal within a week.

Prevention can be achieved by washing, washing, washing! I provide antibacterial hand soap at every sink and an antibacterial bar soap in the showers. Encourage everyone to wash often and cleanse all exposed skin. I use a mild bleach solution to scrub everything touchable. Unfortunately there is nothing fool proof especially if there is a high concentration of the bacteria in a small setting.

I first reported this story to the local news station after my daughters third outbreak. For some reason the program director did not feel this was important enough to air. This is the letter I sent to the local news station.

I visited the KAIT 8 news station about 8 months ago. I spoke to one of the reporters and provided information about this then potential big problem. I told her about my daughters 3rd breakout in 6 months and told her what the Randolph county medical center told me. The ER staff told me that they were treating at least one case a day and had been for months. I also explained to this reporter how terribly painful and how contagious it is and how important it was to let others know what to look for. I am very angry that your program director did not see the importance of airing this story 8 months ago. I cant help to wonder if the breakout in Jonesboro could have been prevented. Thank you for your time. Tristan Duke

I hope they have reconsidered their priorities, after all they call themselves "Good Neighbors"