MRSA

Methicillin

Resistant

Staphylococcus

Aureaus

Easy to kill.

Please refer to the full color, hi-res sell sheet, “Reckitt MRSA PDF” located in our online library. This file can be found in the “Educational Information” and in the “PDF’s-Sell Sheet” folders, for a list of Lysol EPA-Registered Products Effective Against MRSA.

lls germs on hard, nonporous surfaces,* When used as directed.

Increase in MRSA cases

alarms public!

Q:What is MRSA

(Methicillin Resistant

Staphylococcus aureaus)?

MRSA describes strains of staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as staph, that are resistant to many frequently used antibiotics. Many people carry staph on their skin or in the nose without signs of infection, but if it gets into cuts or abrasions, it may cause

infection of the skin or soft tissue. Typically,patients inhospitals and healthcare facilities are at the highest risk of infection due to compromised immunesystems. In this setting, bacteria can easily spread when handwashing compliance is not strictly followed.

Q:What are the symptoms

of a staph or MRSA

infection?

Staph-related skin infections may look like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful, and have pus or other drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections.

Q: What is CA-MRSA?

Infections that originate outside of a health care facility are called CA-MRSA,

where CA means community associated. Most CA-MRSA infections appear as skin infections and occur in otherwise healthy people. The CDC has identified the following 5 factors, referred to as the 5 C’s, that create ideal conditions for

the transmission of MRSA:

■ CROWDING

■ Frequent skin-to-skin CONTACT

■ COMPROMISED skin (i.e., cuts or

abrasions)

■ CONTAMINATED items and

surfaces

■ Lack of CLEANLINESS

Locations where the 5 C’s are common include schools, dormitories, military barracks, correctional facilities, daycare centers and homes.

Q:How is MRSA spread, and

how can we prevent it?

MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with surfaces that have been directly exposed to another person’s infection. Individuals can avoid MRSA infections by practicing good hygiene. Good hygiene practices include:

■ Keep hands clean by washing or by

using hand sanitizers.

■ Regularly clean and disinfect

commonly touched surfaces.

■ Keep cuts and breaks in the skin

clean and covered until they are

healed.

■ Avoid contact with the wounds or

bandages of others.

■ Don't share personal items like razors

or towels.

Disinfectant Spray

KILLS MRSA!

While MRSA may be resistant to antibiotics, it is not resistant to LYSOL®.

Help prevent the spread of MRSA by using LYSOL® Brand Disinfectant Spray on surfaces.

See complete list of products on RECKITT MRSA PDF.

Here’s what the CSPA†

says about the role of disinfectants

in the prevention of MRSA

MRSA occurs most frequently among patients who undergo invasive medical procedures or who have weakened immune systems and are being treated in hospitals and healthcare facilities such as nursing homes and dialysis centers.

Invasive MRSA commonly causes serious and potentially life threatening infections, such as bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, or pneumonia. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) studies have confi rmed that, within healthcare settings, the proportion of infections that are antimicrobial resistant has been growing. In 1974, MRSA infections accounted for two percent of the total number of staph infections; in 1995 it was 22%; in 2004 it was 63%.

For additional articles on MRSA, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/ or the VNAA Germ Protection Center, sponsored by LYSOL® (http://www.vnaa.org/).

“Disinfectant products can kill even antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Real-life studies have confirmed that the use of disinfectant products does not contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance which is often associated with the frequent use of antibiotic drugs. At the same time, the use of disinfectant products plays an important role in public safety.”

MRSA in schools

Should schools close because of a MRSA infection?

In most cases, it is not necessary to close schools to “disinfect” them when MRSA infections occur. When MRSA skin infections occur, cleaning and disinfection should be performed on surfaces that are likely to contact uncovered or poorly covered infections. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces with EPA-registered products is effective at removing MRSA from the environment.

Practical Advice for Teachers

If you observe children with open draining wounds or infections, refer

the child to the school nurse. Covering infections will greatly reduce the risks of surfaces becoming contaminated with MRSA. Enforce hand washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers before eating and after using the bathroom.

Please refer to the full color, hi-res sell sheet, “Reckitt MRSA PDF” located in our online library. This file can be found in the “Educational Information” and in the “PDF’s-Sell Sheet” folders, for a list of Lysol EPA-Registered Products Effective Against MRSA.

For more information you can also visit:

www.reckittprofessional.com.

AMPHYL®