Crimson Wave Athletics
Calumet College of St. Joseph
2400 New York Ave. Whiting, IN 46394
(219) 473-4276
What is MRSA?
MRSA is methicillin-resistant Stephylococcus aureus, a potentially dangerous type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics and may cause skin and other infections. As with all regular staph infections, recognizing the signs and receiving treatment for MRSA skin infections in the early stages reduces the chances of the infection becoming severe. MRSA is spread:
- Having personal contact with another person’s infection
- Sharing personal items, such as towels or razors, that have toughed infected skin
- Touching surfaces or items, such as used bandages, contaminated with MRSA
What are signs and symptoms?
Most staph skin infections, including MRSA, appear as a bump or infected area on the skin that may be:
- Red
- Swollen
- Painful
- Warm to the touch
- Full of pus or other drainage
- Accompanied by a fever
What if I suspect an MRSA skin infection?
Cover the area with a bandage and contact your athletic trainer or primary care physician. It is especially important to contact your healthcare professional if signs and symptoms of a MRSA infection are accompanied by a fever.
How are MRSA skin infections treated?
Treatment for MRSA skin infections may include having a healthcare professional drain the infection and, in some cases prescribe an antibiotic. Do not attempt to drain the infection yourself- doing so could worsen or spread it to others. If you are given an antibiotic, be sure to take all of the doses (even if the infection is getting better),unless your healthcare professional tells you to stop taking it.
For more information please call 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.cdc.gov/MRSA