It's not uncommon for a child to "pick up" a cold including sneezing and runny noses at school.  We all expect that type of illness because of the close quarters.  What we don't expect is the spread of a more serious infection, such as MRSA.

• Knowledge - Use the resources below to understand the nature of MRSA and "staph' infections.  Know the transmission of the infection occurs from person to person, or from contaminated surfaces, through contact with the drainage from an active infection that the infected person may not realize he or she has.
• Recognition - Teachers, instructors, administrators, and school health officials should be trained to recognize skin conditions that might represent a 'Staph' infection.  These infections are frequently an open lesion of the skin; many times thought to be spider or insect bites, turf burns, or 'pimples'.  Students with any open, weeping, or pustular lesion on the skin should be immediately referred to their primary care provider for appropriate medical management.
• Hygiene - The primary control of these infections involves personal hygiene, specifically hand washing.  Consider educating everyone on controlling the spread of disease (not just MRSA) through personal hygiene.  Encourage the use of hand sanitizers in situations where water may not be readily available.
• Sanitation - Frequently contacted surfaces (hand rails, switches, etc.) should be frequently sanitized with an EPA registered disinfectant.  Remember to use these sanitizers exactly as directed by the manufacturer.  Remember to sanitize exercise equipment in-between use.  Sharing of towels, bars of soap, athletic equipment, or personal protective devices (safety glasses, respirators, etc.) should be forbidden.
• Public Health - Through your health officers evaluate individual cases, students and staff with active infections generally should not require absence, assuming that the wound is covered and the bandage can completely contain any drainage.  Students with active infections should be restricted from wrestling, and potentially other contact sports, until the wound is completely healed.  School employees who may need to contact the wound (physicians, nurses, coaches, trainers, etc.) need to observe universal precautions to prevent contact with drainage and need to wash hands immediately afterward even if gloves were used.
• Preparedness - Work with your public health authorities to plan for the eventuality of a diagnosis of MRSA in students of staff. While closure of facilities is rarely required, know what types of actions you'll need to take and have the materials on site to implement them. Understand the reporting requirements for a diagnosis of MRSA, and have a communication plan ready if you need it.