[BurleyBulletin] October 23, 2007: MRSA Prevention & Facts, Magazine Orders
Shelley Payne
shp33 at embarqmail.com
Tue Oct 23 13:07:54 EDT 2007
The Burley Bulletin
October 23, 2007
Inside This Issue...
* Late Magazine Orders
* Letter From the Superintendent re. MRSA Prevention
* MRSA Facts
* Proper Hand-Washing Techniques
* Mark Your Calendar...
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Late Magazine Orders
Please turn in all your magazine orders ASAP. Since we are still under our
profit goal we will accept late orders through this Thursday. Please have
your orders in before noon on Thursday or contact Shelley Payne at 984-6862
or HYPERLINK "mailto:shp33 at embarqmail.com"shp33 at embarqmail.com to arrange
the pick-up of your order. We will not be able to accept orders after this
Thursday. Thank you!!
Letter From the Superintendent re. MRSA Prevention
Dear Community,
Recent reports about the presence of a staph infection called
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Bedford, VA have
caught our community’s attention. The purpose of this letter is to help you
to learn more about MRSA, steps you can take to stay healthy and what our
schools do to prevent the spread of infection.
MRSA is a common type of bacteria often found on the skin and in the nose of
healthy people. It is a common cause of skin infections. It normally does
not cause disease unless it enters an opening in the skin. It most often is
spread by close contact with infected people or the things they touch. It is
not spread through the air.
There are simple steps people can take to prevent MRSA and other staph
infections:
* Wash hands with soap and water thoroughly and frequently.
* Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered.
* Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or sports equipment.
* Shower immediately after physical activity.
* Properly clean and disinfect sporting equipment.
* See a doctor if a sore or cut becomes red, oozes, causes pain or
isn’t healing.
Our School Division is taking steps to reduce the spread of germs and
infection:
* We are increasing employee awareness by providing information
about MSRA and prevention.
* We have increased and enhanced custodial cleaning efforts in
schools. Our standard procedure is to disinfect restrooms, health clinics
and locker rooms in schools daily.
* Custodians also will now disinfect daily doorknobs and handles,
sinks and counters in classrooms.
* We have shared information about prevention and control of MSRA
for athletic teams with our athletic directors and coaches.
* We have asked school Principals to remind students about the
importance of hand washing and to review proper hand washing with our
younger students.
While MSRA is found commonly in the environment and can’t be eliminated,
routine cleaning and good personal hygiene practices can greatly reduce the
risk of infection. I encourage you to talk with your health care provider or
a school nurse to learn what you can do to keep your family healthy and at
low risk for staph infections.
Sincerely,
Dr. Pamela R. Moran
Superintendent
Please note that in addition to the above measures, Burley is installing
hand sanitizer dispensers in all bathrooms and locker rooms. These will
supplement the dispensers already installed in the cafeteria.
MRSA Facts
>From the Virginia Department of Health
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) November 2005
What is MRSA?
Staphylococcus aureus (“staph”) is a common type of bacteria (germ) that is
often found on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. It can also grow
in wounds or other sites in the body, sometimes causing an infection. For
example, staph is one of the most common causes of skin infections.
Penicillin is a drug that was once commonly used to treat staph infections.
However, over time many staph bacteria have become difficult to treat with
penicillin and antibiotics related to penicillin. These new or resistant
forms of Staphylococcus aureus are called methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. The illnesses they cause are the same as
those caused by other staph, the difference is in how they are treated.
Who is at risk for getting these organisms?
Just like normal staph bacteria, MRSA normally does not cause disease unless
it enters an opening in the skin. However, some people are at higher risk
for carrying MRSA or becoming infected with this type of staph. MRSA more
often occurs in people in hospitals and healthcare facilities. It can also
occur outside the hospital in people who receive multiple antibiotics, as
well as in people who have close contact with a person carrying the germ or
by touching objects contaminated with MRSA (e.g., clothes, towels, bedding,
athletic equipment, benches in saunas or hot tubs, bandages).
How are MRSA and other staph spread?
Staph bacteria (including MRSA) are most often spread by close contact with
infected people or the things they touch. It is not spread through the air.
What are the symptoms of infection?
Many people carry staph bacteria on their skin without any symptoms.
Symptoms of a MRSA or other staph infection depend on where the infection is
located. Infections of the skin are the most common, and cause symptoms such
as redness, warmth, pus and a wound that does not heal. Your doctor may
refer to these infections as boils, furuncles, impetigo, or abscesses.
Infections can also develop in the blood, bone, bladder, lungs, and other
sites. Symptoms there will depend on the site of infection, but include
fever and pain at the site.
What should I do if I think I have a MRSA or other staph infection?
See your healthcare provider.
Are MRSA and other staph infections treatable?
Yes. Some staph skin infections can be treated simply by draining the sore
and keeping the wound clean. For more serious infections, antibiotics can be
used to treat these infections. If antibiotics are prescribed by your
healthcare provider, it is very important to finish taking all the pills and
to call your doctor if the infection does not get better.
What can I do to prevent MRSA and other staph infections?
* Wash your hands often, especially when you’re exposed to someone
with an infection or when you touch objects that may be contaminated.
* Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered.
* Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sports equipment,
razors, etc.
* If a sore or cut becomes red, oozes, causes pain or isn’t healing,
see a doctor.
* Don’t insist on antibiotics for colds or other viruses.
* If prescribed antibiotics, take all the pills, even if you feel
better before they are all gone.
Proper Hand-Washing Techniques
Excerpted from an article on CNN.com from HYPERLINK
"http://www.mayoclinic.com"MayoClinic.com
Good hand-washing techniques include washing your hands with soap and water
or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Antimicrobial wipes or towelettes
are just as effective as soap and water in cleaning your hands but aren't as
good as alcohol-based sanitizers.
Antibacterial soaps have become increasingly popular in recent years.
However, these soaps are no more effective at killing germs than are regular
soap and water. Using these soaps may lead to the development of bacteria
that are resistant to the products' antimicrobial agents — making it even
harder to kill these germs in the future. In general, regular soap is fine.
The combination of scrubbing your hands with soap — antibacterial or not —
and rinsing them with water loosens and removes bacteria from your hands.
Proper hand washing with soap and water
Follow these instructions for washing with soap and water:
* Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply liquid or clean
bar soap. Lather well.
* Rub your hands vigorously together for at least 15 seconds.
* Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists,
between your fingers and under your fingernails.
* Rinse well.
* Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel.
* Use a towel to turn off the faucet.
Proper use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers — which don't require water — are an excellent
alternative to hand washing, particularly when soap and water aren't
available. They're actually more effective than soap and water in killing
bacteria and viruses that cause disease. Commercially prepared hand
sanitizers contain ingredients that help prevent skin dryness. Using these
products can result in less skin dryness and irritation than hand washing.
Not all hand sanitizers are created equal, though. Some "waterless" hand
sanitizers don't contain alcohol. Use only the alcohol-based products.
To use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
* Apply about 1/2 tsp of the product to the palm of your hand.
* Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands,
until they're dry.
* If your hands are visibly dirty, however, wash with soap and water
rather than a sanitizer.
When should you wash your hands?
Although it's impossible to keep your bare hands germ-free, times exist when
it's critical to wash your hands to limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses
and other microbes.
Always wash your hands:
* After using the bathroom
* After changing a diaper — wash the diaper-wearer's hands, too
* After touching animals or animal waste
* Before and after preparing food, especially before and immediately
after handling raw meat, poultry or fish
* Before eating
* After blowing your nose
* After coughing or sneezing into your hands
* Before and after treating wounds or cuts
* Before and after touching a sick or injured person
* After handling garbage
* Before inserting or removing contact lenses
* When using public restrooms, such as those in airports, train
stations, bus stations and restaurants.
Kids need clean hands, too
You can help your children avoid getting sick by insisting that they wash
their hands properly and frequently. To get kids into the habit, teach by
example. Wash your hands with your children and supervise their hand
washing. Place hand-washing reminders at children's eye level, such as a
chart by the bathroom sink for children to mark every time they wash their
hands. Tell your children to wash their hands for as long as it takes them
to sing their ABCs, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" or the "Happy Birthday" song.
This works especially well with younger children, who may rush when washing
their hands.
Older children and adolescents also can use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Younger children can use them, too — with an adult's help. Just make sure
the sanitizer has completely dried before your child touches anything. This
will avoid ingestion of alcohol from hand-to-mouth contact. Store the
container safely away after use.
Hand washing is especially important for children who attend daycare.
Children in daycare are at greater risk of gastrointestinal diseases, which
can easily spread to family members and others in the community.
To protect your child's health, be sure your daycare provider promotes sound
hygiene, including frequent hand washing or use of alcohol-based hand
sanitizers. Ask whether the children are required to wash their hands
several times a day — not just before meals. And make sure the sink is low
enough for children to use, or that it has a stool underneath so that
children can reach it. Note, too, whether diapering areas are cleaned after
each use and whether eating and diapering areas are well separated.
____________________________________________________________________________
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Mark Your Calendar...
* Friday, October 26, School Planning – NO STUDENTS
* Tuesday, October 30, 1:00 P.M., BMX Show – Magazine Sale
Celebration
* Monday, November 5, Central Staff Development – NO STUDENTS
* Tuesday, November 6, Election Day and School Planning – NO
STUDENTS
* Thursday, November 8, Cici’s Pizza Night
* Friday, November 9, 4:00 – 8:15 P.M., Roller Skating Field Trip at
Skate Town
* Monday, November 12, 9:35 AM - 11:15 AM, 7th Grade Career EXPO
* Tuesday, November 13, 6:00 P.M., Burley Media Center, State of the
School Address
* Tuesday, November 13, 7:00 P.M, Bearettes Concert
* Thursday, December 13, 7:00 P.M., Band and Strings Concert
* Thursday, December 13, Cici’s Pizza Night
* Wednesday, December 19, 7:00 P.M., Advanced Choir Concert
For more calendar information visit: HYPERLINK
"http://schoolcenter.k12albemarle.org/education/components/calendar/calendar
.php?sectiondetailid=165&sc_id=1192680751"http://schoolcenter.k12albemarle.o
rg/education/components/calendar/calendar.php?sectiondetailid=165&sc_id=1192
680751
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