MRSA Notes

This is a very useful article from STLtoday about the proper care of common summertime wounds and injuries:

Wound infections most often happen when bacteria, especially staphylococcus (staph) or streptococcus (strep), invade the body through a break in the skin. Sometimes infections start with a closed rash and become infected because a child scratches or picks at them. Some examples are insect bites, chicken pox, scabies or acne.

Deeper wounds such as puncture wounds, are more likely to become infected than are minor scrapes.

Wounds are considered “clean” if they come from something clean such as a clean piece of glass or a clean knife blade. A tetanus booster is needed only if 1) it has been more than 10 years since the last booster was given, 2) the child has had fewer than three tetanus shots in his or her lifetime or 3) the vaccine history is unknown.

“Dirty” minor wounds include cuts or scrapes that have dirt, soil, feces or saliva in them. These also include puncture wounds and minor burns. Most of these wounds are easily treated at home and usually don’t require a visit to the hospital or doctor’s office. They require a tetanus booster if 1) more than five years have passed since the last one, 2) the child has had fewer than three tetanus shots in his or her lifetime or 3) the vaccine history is unknown. The booster needs to be given within 24 hours of the injury.

Be sure and read the rest of the article as there is lots more important information there about infection prevention!

CA MRSA, Education, MRSA, MRSA in Children, Wellness

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