Bonham schools take protective measures against spread of MRSA
Herald Democrat
BONHAM — Bonham ISD Superintendent Sonny Cruse announced Wednesday that information is going out to parents about MRSA, the particular type of Staph infection frequently in the news.
School Nurse Kelli Bowen at Bonham High School said there is no outbreak of the infection at BISD. “We had one confirmed case that we know of a month ago and that child is already back at school,” she said Wednesday. Cruse specified certain precautions parents can take and named the practices for prevention developed by BISD in conjunction with information from the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) infections are not new. They can cause severe illnesses. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of infection that is more difficult to treat, but is otherwise the same as a Staph infection. It does not respond to routine treatment with commonly used antibiotics. Mild infections can look like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen and painful,” Cruse said. “More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections or surgical wound infections.”
Staph is passed from person to person through direct contact with skin or contaminated items. The bacteria may live in people’s noses and on their skin. Staph can enter the body through breaks in the skin and the best way to prevent it is by washing hands and caring properly for wounds, Cruse states in the notice.
BISD Practical Advice for Parents
• Clean and cover wounds with clean, dry bandages. Wounds that don’t heal need medical attention. The only way to determine if an infection is caused by MRSA is through laboratory testing ordered by a physician or health care provider.
• Teach children to wash their hands regularly, such as before eating and after using the bathroom. They should use the hand sanitizer dispensers, which have been installed throughout BISD schools.
• Be sure that family members use antibiotics properly. Take all that are prescribed, even if the symptoms stop before the prescription is used up. Do not share prescriptions.
• Children who participate in sports should shower immediately or as soon as possible after each practice or game. They should not share equipment, uniforms, towels or their personal items such as razors. Wash uniforms and towels with hot water and detergent after each use.
Precautions Bonham ISD schools use to prevent MRSA
• BISD schools are cleaned daily using EPA-approved cleaners that kill a variety of bacteria and viruses.
• Students are encouraged to wash their hands and use a hand sanitizer before eating and at other times when hands might be soiled.
• Students with open wounds are sent to the nurse for cleaning and bandaging.
• In case of a diagnosis of MRSA, the student will be withheld from contact sports and other activities until the student is released by the health care provider.
