A nasty bug on the loose...be careful

  • Published
  • 71st Medical Group
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  An antibiotic resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus, or staph, is currently affecting people around the country, and the 71st Medical Group is asking Team Vance members to take proper precautions to protect themselves and their families. 

Staph is a bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 25 to 30 percent of the population is colonized-when bacteria are present, but not causing an infection-in the nose with staph bacteria. 

A current strain of staph is resistant to methicillin and other common antibiotics, such as oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin, and can cause severe reactions in people who contact MRSA. 

According to the 71st Medical Group, staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the U.S., and are a common cause of pneumonia, surgical wound infection and blood stream infections. 

The majority of MRSA infections occur among patients in hospitals and other healthcare settings; however, it is becoming more common in the community setting and can occur in otherwise healthy people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more than 94,000 people in the U.S. in 2005 developed a serious MRSA infection. 

Also according to the CDC, 14 percent of clinical MRSA infections are community-associated. 

MRSA can be introduced into the body through a break in the skin. Any injury, poor health and using and sharing dirty items can increase susceptibility to MRSA. It is possible to spread among people having close contact with people who already have MRSA. 

It can also spread by direct physical contact, such as touching MRSA contaminated objects like sheets, clothes, towels, dirty dressing, work-out areas and sports equipment. 

Some suggested preventive measures Team Vance members can take against staph and MRSA include:

1. Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages.

2. Clean your hands. Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching any infected wound.

3. Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing or uniforms that may had contact with an infected wound or bandage. Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes.

4. Clean exercise machine/shared equipment. Use a towel or clothing to act as a barrier between surfaces of shared equipment and bare skin. Wipe surfaces of equipment before and after use with a disinfectant.

5. Take medication as prescribed. Only take antibiotics when they are prescribed by your healthcare provider. Taking medications when they are not needed can create stronger, antibiotic resistant germs, like MRSA. If given a prescription, always finish the full amount.

6. What should I do if I think I have staph or MRSA infection? See your healthcare provider. If you develop an area of rapidly expanding redness, fever, chills, and drainage, notify your healthcare provider immediately. 

According to Col. Otha Solomon, Jr., 71st Medical Group commander, the best defense is still the simplest, and most effective. 

"The best prevention for staph and MRSA is hand washing," the colonel said.