Staph Infections: Important Information and Helpful Tips

A recent government report about the growing problem of a drug-resistant, potentially even fatal strain of staph infections seen in schools, hospitals and prisons across the country has understandably created concern especially among the parents of athletes.

While the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the stubborn strain that is creating the news and concerns for this issue, we as a school district are concerned about all staph infections and want you to be too.

When a staph infection occurs, it often causes minor skin irritations, such as boils.  People with such infections often believe an insect or spider has bitten them.  Staph bacteria can cause infections through open wounds or other breaks in the skin.  The easiest way to transmit it is through skin-to-skin contact or by sharing items that come into close contact with skin such as towels and bar soap and even sports equipment. 

Our coaches encourage all athletes to shower every day following practice.  Please help us communicate that message with your child.  Please encourage your child to use only his or her soap and towel and not borrow those items from other athletes because a locker-room culture of sharing soap or towels, or in some cases not showering at all can spread staph infections.

HAND WASHING IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT BEHAVIOR IN PREVENTING INFECTIOUS DISEASE. EMPHASIZE THIS TO YOUR ATHLETES. HANDS MUST BE CLEAN BEFORE YOU TOUCH YOUR EYES, MOUTH, NOSE OR ANY CUTS OR SCRAPES ON THE SKIN.

If you suspect your child has a staph infection, please seek medical attention.  In addition, it is important that you let the school district know either in the athletic department, through the coach, or through your child’s school nurse or principal if your child ever develops a staph infection.

We as an athletic department use cleaning agents in the locker rooms and on equipment that have been proven to be effective in the fight against staph infections.  We clean locker room areas on a regular basis.  We make sure that practice and or game uniforms left in our care at the end of the day are washed daily.  We encourage you to make sure you child’s workout, practice or game gear that is in your care be washed daily as well.

For you convenience, we have included a list of helpful hints related to staph infections below. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at the athletic department (259-4520), your child’s coach, our trainer Trey Robertson, or the school district’s lead nurse, Mr. Doug Drill (259-4340).

Thanks,
Ken Ellet, Director of Athletics

Tips and Information regarding this issue

Hand washing Procedure

1. Use warm water

2. Wet hands and wrists

3. Using a bar or liquid soap

4. Work soap into a lather and wash between fingers, up to wrists, and under fingernails for at least 15 seconds

5. Dry, using a clean cloth towel or paper towel

6. Provide and encourage the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers to wash hands immediately if they come in contact with any body fluid on the playing field or at other places where hand-washing facilities are not available

Wash your hands as described above:

·After sneezing, blowing, or touching the nose

·After using the toilet

·Before leaving the athletic area

OTHER PRECAUTIONS:

·Do not share towels, soap, or other personal care items

·Shower with soap and water as soon as possible after direct contact sports

·Dry using a clean, dry towel

·Do not share towels, even on the sidelines at game

·Ointments or antibiotics must not be shared

·Prewash or rinse items that have been grossly contaminated with body fluids

·Wash towels, uniforms, scrimmage shirts, and any other laundry in hot water and ordinary detergent and dry on the hottest cycle