2008 Woodie Awards
RSSPrecautions necessary to avoid staph infections
By Nicolet Lubarksy
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: News
YAfter a recent rash of staph infections in schools nationwide, resulting in the deaths of a 12-year-old boy in New York and a 17-year-old high school senior in Virginia, the staff at Lehigh's Johnson Hall say they are prepared to diagnose and treat any infections.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infections have been referred to as "superbug" infections because they are resistant to traditional antibiotics and can become serious if left untreated. The infections are resistant to penicillin-based antibiotics, mostly because of overuse.
Bad habits, such as poor sleep schedules, binge drinking and attending crowded parties, increase chances of students contracting such infections, said Dr. Susan Kitei, director of the Health and Wellness Center.
"When students are run down, it weakens their immune systems and makes it more difficult to fight infections," Kitei said.
According to CNN.com, "They can be treated with other drugs, but health officials worry that their overuse could cause the germ to become resistant to those, too."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site describes the skin infections as pustules or boils which often are red, swollen, painful and pus-filled. They commonly occur at sites of skin trauma and areas of the body covered by hair.
Kitei suggests students take precautions, but not be too worried.
"It is important for us all to be aware that community-acquired MRSA has become more of an issue in recent years, but to know that the media has over-reacted to recent outbreaks," Kitei said. "There is no evidence that these infections are being spread from surfaces or school environments."
The infections become dangerous when they enter the bloodstream or destroy flesh.
The CDC lists the factors that make it easier to transmit MRSA, referred to as the "five C's." These include crowding, frequent skin-to-skin contact, compromised skin-such as cuts, contaminated items and surfaces and lack of cleanliness. Many of these conditions can be found in dormitories, Greek houses and off campus residences.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infections have been referred to as "superbug" infections because they are resistant to traditional antibiotics and can become serious if left untreated. The infections are resistant to penicillin-based antibiotics, mostly because of overuse.
Bad habits, such as poor sleep schedules, binge drinking and attending crowded parties, increase chances of students contracting such infections, said Dr. Susan Kitei, director of the Health and Wellness Center.
"When students are run down, it weakens their immune systems and makes it more difficult to fight infections," Kitei said.
According to CNN.com, "They can be treated with other drugs, but health officials worry that their overuse could cause the germ to become resistant to those, too."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site describes the skin infections as pustules or boils which often are red, swollen, painful and pus-filled. They commonly occur at sites of skin trauma and areas of the body covered by hair.
Kitei suggests students take precautions, but not be too worried.
"It is important for us all to be aware that community-acquired MRSA has become more of an issue in recent years, but to know that the media has over-reacted to recent outbreaks," Kitei said. "There is no evidence that these infections are being spread from surfaces or school environments."
The infections become dangerous when they enter the bloodstream or destroy flesh.
The CDC lists the factors that make it easier to transmit MRSA, referred to as the "five C's." These include crowding, frequent skin-to-skin contact, compromised skin-such as cuts, contaminated items and surfaces and lack of cleanliness. Many of these conditions can be found in dormitories, Greek houses and off campus residences.
