November 2007

MRSA Information

Recently in the news we have heard a great deal about MRSA infections. Below is some helpful information about MRSA and how to stay infection free.

• Staph is a bacteria commonly carried on the skin and noses of healthy people. About 25-30% of the US population carny staph on their bodies at any time. Sometimes staph can cause an infection. Staff infections start when staph gets into a cut or other break in the skin.
• MRSA is a kind of "staph" bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics, including penicillin and amoxicillin.
• Staph is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact. staph is also spread by contact with items that have been touched by people with staph, like towels shared after bathing and drying off, or shared athletic equipment in the gym or on the field.
• Most staph infections are treated by good wound and skin care: keeping the area clean and dry, washing hands after caring for the area, carefully disposing of any bandages, and allowing the body to heal. Sometimes they need to be treated with antibiotics.

How can I prevent staph infection?

• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until they have healed
• Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages
• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, bedding or clothing that may have had contact with a skin infection
• Teammates should not share towels, clothing or equipment
• Never share razors
• Hand washing helps prevent the spread of staph as well as spread of many other bacteria and viruses

If you think you have a staph infection please see your health care provider. Students may contact the Emmanuel College Health Service room G02 of St. Joseph Hall 617-264-7678. For more information about MRSA, please go to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health web site.

Emergency Planning

As you may be aware, the College continues to plan for potential emergency situations. Below are three helpful tips when creating a personal emergency plan.

• It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
• Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has coins or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.
• You may have trouble getting through, or the telephone system may be down altogether, but be patient.

For more helpful tips visit http://www.ready.gov

The Campus Preparedness Committee will be sponsoring two brown bag lunches in the next few weeks to discuss personal emergency plans.