Seaholm Warns Parents of MRSA Risks After Student Wrestler Contracts Infection

is educating parents after a student wrestler at came down with a case of MRSA, a bacterial skin infection, during the holiday break.

The student has recovered and is back at school, schools spokeswoman Marcia Wilkinson said.

"We're not aware of any additional cases, and we're hopeful everyone stays healthy this year," Wilkinson said Tuesday.

MRSA, or methillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a bacterial skin infection spread through direct contact and is resistant to many antibiotics. 

Because the student is a wrestler, Seaholm Principal Deanna Lancaster alerted parents during the holiday break, noting all the district's school buildings are regularly cleaned with a broad-spectrum, microorganism-killing solution effective against MRSA.

"We are paying particular attention to the locker rooms, mats and equipment," Lancaster said.

According to the Oakland County Health Division, staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States, and increased awareness of the infections helps keep the number of cases down.

"While the risk of contracting the disease is small, (increased awareness) reinforces the importance of proper hygiene and disinfection practices because MRSA is a community health issue," it said.

What is MRSA?

Birmingham Public Schools provided the following information to parents to help keep their children healthy this school year, courtesy of the Oakland County Health Division:

Stachylocccus aureus ("staph") is a common type of bacteria found on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. Between 25 percent-30 percent of people have the bacteria but are not sick. Another 1 percent have MRSA.

MRSA may cause infections in the skin, lung or blood.

How is MRSA spread?

MRSA can be spread through close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contact with contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, poor hygiene and medical procedures.

What do MRSA infections look like?

Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a pimple or boil that can be red, swollen, painful or have pus or other drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections or surgical wound infections.

How is MRSA treated?

Practice good hygiene, such as:

• Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed
• Do not touch other people's wounds or bandages
• Do not share personal items such as towels or razors
• Use a barrier between skin and shared equipment in health clubs, saunas and gyms
• Do not inject illgal drugs

For more information on MRSA, contact the Oakland County Health Division's Nurse-On-Call at 248-858-1406.