Entry bubble MRSA: It Can Happen Here

By: Joanne | January 15, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

I pulled the letter from my daughter’s backpack after school one day. It was from the school superintendent and informed parents that there have been 3 recent cases of MRSA in our school district. MRSA, aka, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus is the antibiotic resistant staph infection.

My reaction? Level 4 biohazard! Do they make hazmat suits in children’s sizes? Pull her out of school! Decontaminate my home every night? Should I lock her in a bubble and never let her enter the germ factories that we call elementary schools, hospitals and let’s face it, any other public place?

biohazard symbol

What’s a mom to do? I want to protect my kids, but dirt, viruses, and bacteria are all part of life here on planet Earth. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has the answers for me – their page about MRSA In Schools has all I need to know.

The CDC says the same stuff that the letter from school did – cover wounds, wash your hands, and don’t share clothing or towels that come into contact with your skin. OK, so maybe this doesn’t have to be so crazy after all. I’ll make sure that we’re well supplied with hello kitty bandaids and encourage the kids to wash their hands frequently. I come from a long line of women who wash their hands to an almost obsessive-compulsive degree, so I can totally get into the clean hands thing.

Lastly I’ll say that if you have to use antibiotics, use them as directed to help ensure their effectiveness, and have you washed your hands lately?

| Comments [4] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: antibiotic   infection   joanne   mrsa   resistant   school   staph  

 

Entry bubble Influenza: Avoid A Long Winter Headache

By: Jake | October 29, 2007 | Category: Health

With the California wildfires and drug resistant staph infections outbreaks in schools dominating the headlines the last few weeks, you may not have noticed it's flu season.
According to the CDC, seasonal influenza infects 5% to 20% of the population every year. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections (this one always gets me), dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. 

The CDC says there are three ways to prevent getting the flu. The most effective prevention is to get a flu vaccine, more commonly known as a flu shot, like I did this week. You can search for flu vaccine providers near you. In order to encourage vaccinations, the CDC has declared November 26-December 2 Flu Vaccination Week with Tuesday the 27th serving as Children’s Flu Vaccination Day. The CDC encourages health care providers to expand hours and offer more flu clinics during this week. In addition to a flu shot you can take anti-viral drugs and practice good health habits.

One thing I recommend in addition to these tips is to keep an eye out on CDC's flu activity and surveillance page.  The CDC partners with local health departments and provides a weekly report and map about flu outbreaks around the country. Also, if you do get sick here's how you can tell if it's a the flu or just a cold.
 

| Comments [8] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: flu   infection   influenza   shot   staph   vaccine