Educators learn how to fight staph germs

Nearly 100 DuPage County educators packed a conference room in Lombard Wednesday to learn more about an antibiotic-resistant infection that's been making headlines and alarming parents.

Cases of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, have been popping up in suburban schools this month, including two new reports in Kaneland and Geneva.

DuPage County Health Department experts told the audience that good hygiene is key to eliminating the threat. And they encouraged pragmatic approaches to any suspected MRSA cases.

"We need to act on information, not on fear," Mental Health Services Clinical Director Joyce Butler said.

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria found in the nose or skin of up to 30 percent of the population. When the skin is broken, bacteria can enter the body and cause infection. MRSA refers to a strain of the bacteria that resists antibiotics commonly used to treat staph infections. About 1 percent of the population is infected with the MRSA bacteria.

Staph infections such as MRSA usually are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact with someone who is infected, but it's also possible to pick up the bacteria if you have an open cut, don't wash your hands or share items such as razors or towels.

While historically associated with hospitals, MRSA is cropping up among athletes and experts also caution that crowded situations such as jails can be risk factors.

Signs of the infection can be skin outbreaks similar to a pimple or a boil.

While treatable, the infection can cause pneumonia or infiltrate the bloodstream, leading to serious complications or death.

School officials at the session, also sponsored by the DuPage Regional Office of Education, peppered experts with questions. Queries ranged from how to clean preschool toys and when to urge a student with a skin infection to see a doctor.

The answers ranged from use a small amount of bleach and water for the toys and encourage students to see a doctor if redness and swelling worsens within 48 hours.

"Everything comes down to common sense," health department Environmental Services Director Tad Koeune said.

MRSA cases have emerged in Naperville, Aurora, Roselle, Rolling Meadows, Huntley, Palatine, Elgin, Woodstock and elsewhere in the collar counties.

While a recent study reported there were 18,000 MRSA-related deaths in the United States in 2005, county epidemiologist Shaun Nelson tried to offer some perspective.

"Twice as many people died of the flu (in the same period," he said.

Two Naperville North High School freshmen athletes were recently treated for MRSA.

"Parents were concerned," Naperville Unit District 203 indoor air quality manager Tom Malamos said.

For more information, contact www.dupagehealth.org.