Preventing Staph Infections

There are things you can do to minimize your chances of getting skin infections. Michele Skalicky has more.

The number of cases of antibiotic-resistant staph infections or MRSA is on the rise in the U.S. Jaci McReynolds, spokesperson for the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, says staph infection is not a reportable illness, so, since they don't get reports at the health department about cases of the illness, she's not sure just how prevalent it is locally. But local pediatrician Dr. Frederick Faust says he's seeing quite a few more cases of MRSA in his clinic. He says it's likely due to the overuse of antibiotics in the outpatient setting.

McReynolds says any of us could become vulnerable to getting a staph infection.

"Bacteria are all around us, in fact, some of us carry them on our bodies and in our nasal passages without getting sick. But, when our bodies break down, when we get a cut or scrape and that bacteria gets into our bodies, then we can get a staph infection."

Lately, there's been a lot in the news about MRSA, since a high school student in Virginia recently died from it.

A government report estimates the infection kills about 19,000 Americans each year.

"In some cases, staph infections can get into your bloodstream, and that's when it becomes very dangerous."

Because of the increase in MRSA cases, the Missouri Health Department and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department are stepping up public awareness efforts about the staph "superbug."

McReynolds says there are steps you can take to try to prevent getting skin infections.

"The best prevention against skin infection is to make sure that you're keeping yourself clean, and that includes washing your hands regularly with soap and water as well as showering frequently. It's also important that if you get a cut or a scrape, you clean it and cover it and keep it covered with a sanitary bandage. You also want to be careful not to share personal items like towels or razors or bed linens, and you also want to be careful not to touch an open wound on another person."

According to McReynolds, staph infections can look like many different things, and most are minor and can be treated at home. But it's important to know when you should see a doctor.

"Staph infections can look like many different things. They can look like a pimple. They can look like just an infected hair follicle. They can even look like a raised red bump. The thing to watch for is, if you have something on your skin, a red spot or a bump or a pimple that doesn't seem to getting better, it seems to be getting worse over a period of days or it spreads, then you need to contact your healthcare provider."

For more information, call the Springfield-Greene County Health Department at 864-1658 or go to health.springfieldmogov.org.