MRSA information & Flu Season Alert
Flu Season Alert:
It is impossible at this time to predict the severity of the upcoming flu
season. If you choose not to received a flu vaccine, it is especially
important to engage in behaviors that will lessen your chances of
contracting
the flu.
What is the flu and what are the symptoms?
The flu is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. The symptoms of the
flu are as follows:
* A fever. Usually in the range of 101-102 degrees, but may go as
high as 106.
* Sore throat
* Dry, hacking cough
* Muscle aches
* General fatigue and weakness
* Nasal congestion and sneezing
* Headache
* Intestinal symptoms are usually not associated with the flu.
How can I lessen my chances of getting the flu?
* Wash your hand thoroughly and often to kill or rinse off the virus
that you may have picked up from touching contaminated surfaces. If soap
and water are not available, consider using a hand sanitizing lotion,
particularly before eating.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. These locations provide
the virus with an easy entry point to the body.
* Avoid crowds and give those who are coughing or sneezing a wide
berth; the virus is easily spread in the air.
* Keep up your resistance by following a good diet, get plenty of
rest; drink lots of fluids and avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol.
How is the flu treated?
Young, healthy people probably don't need to be treated for the flu; it will
simply run its course over a week's time. Never the less, there are things
you can do to lessen the symptoms.
* Some people may benefit from antiviral drugs. Consult your
physician.
* Antibiotics will not help the flu. Antibiotics will only treat
bacterial infections; a virus causes the flu. Antibiotics may be
prescribed if secondary bacterial infections develop as a result of the flu.
* Treat symptoms with over the counter medications, rest and fluids.
Multi-symptom cold medicine and Tylenol may be taken at the advice of your
physician, but do not take any products containing aspirin.
* Do us all a favor and stay home if you are sick. This is one time
when it's not nice to share! You should not return to school until you are
without a fever for 24 hours after stopping the use of products such as
Tylenol and Advil.
MRSA Information:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria
that
is resistant to certain antibiotics. These antibiotics include methicillin
and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and
amoxicillin. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among
persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and
dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems.
MRSA infections that occur in otherwise healthy people who have not been
recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure
(such
as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are known as community-associated (CA)-MRSA
infections.
Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like
a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other
drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream
infections, or surgical wound infections.
To prevent staph or MRSA skin infections, practice good hygiene:
Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
Avoid contact with other people�s wounds or bandages.
Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
If you think you have a staph or MRSA infection, see your healthcare
provider.
Staph and MRSA infections are treatable with antibiotics. If you are given
an
antibiotic, take all of the doses, even if the infection is getting better,
unless your doctor tells you to stop taking it. Do not share antibiotics
with
other people or save unfinished antibiotics to use at another time.
You can prevent spreading staph or MRSA skin infections to others by
following these steps:
Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with
clean, dry bandages. Follow your healthcare provider�s instructions on
proper
care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph and MRSA, so
keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others.
Bandages or tape can be discarded with the regular trash.
Clean your hands. You, your family, and others in close contact should wash
their hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected
wound.
Internet Links
State of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
http://www.nj.gov/health/flu/index.shtml
MRSA-Center for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa.html
Other Resources