The following information is provided courtesy of Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department.
MRSA is a type of "staph" skin infection that has become resistant to some antibiotics such as penicillin. Bacteria may develop resistance to antibiotics when they are used unnecessarily or not taken as directed.
Until recently, people most often got MRSA infections when they had open wounds, burns, and/or tubes inserted in their bodies for medical treatment and were hospitalized or stayed in a nursing home. Now MRSA skin infections are becoming more common among adults and children who have not stayed in hospitals or nursing homes.
MRSA infections can be mild or very serious and are spread through skin to skin contact or less frequently by touching surfaces that have MRSA on them. The best way to protect against MRSA infections is frequent hand washing with soap and water.
A podcast about MRSA is available at the Center's for Disease Control (CDC) Web site.
For Schools and Daycare
Because this site has some references to information specific to Tacoma and Pierce County, we have posted letters specific to Clark County for use by school or daycare administrators. We ask that you work with us to adapt these letters before you send them out to parents and guardians. Additionally, although MRSA is not considered a reportable disease in Washington State, please notify us if there are three or more cases in your school or daycare.
Related Documents
- Living with MRSA (booklet)
- Living with MRSA (easy print)
- Viviendo con MRSA (en espaņol)
- MRSA in the Workplace
- MRSA Fact Sheet for Police Departments
- Antibiotic Commonsense newsletter
- Sample letter for parents of middle and high school children
- Sample letter for parents of elementary school children
- Sample letter for parents of children in childcare
