The best defense of MRSA is prevention
If you read the daily paper, chances are good you'll find a new story of another student diagnosed with methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. Several deaths have been reported, and schools are closing to disinfect their facilities as more cases are diagnosed.

MRSA has been around for many years, though it certainly has become increasingly prominent over the past six or seven. It is a bacterium that most often causes skin infections, and these are usually minor. Typically, it is when the bacteria enters the blood stream or infects internal organs that the infection can become quite serious. This latest antibiotic-resistant staph lives in our community and is spread through personal contact or touching infected surfaces.

MRSA, while resistant to certain antibiotics, can be treated with some medications. Draining pus from the skin infections it causes is also an important part of treatment. But the best defense is always prevention, and there are many simple steps we can take to avoid spreading or contracting a staph infection.

The most effective way we have to stop the spread of MRSA - or any infectious disease for that matter, including the common cold - is to wash our hands. Rubbing hands together vigorously with soap and hot water for at least 15 seconds will greatly reduce your risk of contracting any nonairborne communicable disease. Water temperature should be as hot as you can comfortably tolerate, and friction from rubbing your hands together is effective in rubbing off the germs. Carry a hand sanitizer with you and remember to use it, especially before and after eating. As long as your hands aren't visibly soiled, they are very efficient at getting rid of germs. Again, rub your hands together until the sanitizer dries.

Because staph is one of the most frequent causes of skin infection, clean and bandage any cuts or breaks in your skin. Don't share personal items such as towels, gloves, clothing that has been worn and not washed or sporting equipment, such as helmets. And get an influenza shot every year, since having influenza is a significant risk factor for getting staph pneumonia.

Finally, if you find yourself hospitalized, it is perfectly acceptable to ask your doctors, nurses and other health-care professionals if they've washed their hands before touching you. In fact, we encourage you to do that!

With a little forethought and consideration, we can minimize the impact of MRSA infection on our family members, our friends, our colleagues and ourselves.

Dr. Robert W. Tolan Chief of Division of Allergy,

Immunology and

Infectious Diseases

The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital

New Brunswick