SAMANTHA TROUP | staff writer

As students and athletes across the nation discover they have the infection they ask, "how can it be prevented?"

Called the “super bug” by many, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteria (MRSA) is a dangerous and potentially deadly staph infection that is growing in its recorded number of cases. But with a few simple preventative measures such as frequent hand-washing, one can easily avoid getting MRSA.

It has been over 10 years since MRSA appeared outside of a hospital setting. What began as a treatable bacterial infection has evolved from a standard staph infection into a multi-drug-resistant super bug affecting schools and athletic facilities across the country.

“I’m [not even sure I’d know how to protect myself from MRSA],” junior biology major Julia Shotwell said. “Even as a nursing major we didn’t study it that much.”

Since its conception, MRSA has been recognized as a problem in athletic departments and prisons, but it is now becoming more of a threat to college communities. MRSA spreads through contact with items that have been exposed to the infection, and through healthy people who are carriers, although healthy carriers do not show symptoms.

“Good hand-washing is the best way to prevent MRSA, and not sharing things like razors, towels, and soap are some [other] easy ways to prevent the spread of MRSA,” Nurse Practioner in the Health Center Gidget Wood said.

Coming in contact with the infection is easier than one might think. Contact with an infected workout machine, towel or piece of clothing can spread the infection.

“It’s one of those things that we really need to hit from a preventative standpoint, because you can’t see it. To get things contained before they get the epidemic [is] good,” head athletic trainer April Reed said.

Because MRSA needs a portal of entry to enter the human body, a scratch or open cut is enough, it is easy to prevent an infection by practicing good hygiene. A shower immediately after working out, frequent hand-washing, and the use of an alcohol based hand gel when soap and water are not available can prevent MRSA.

It can also be prevented by making sure that the MRSA bacteria is not spread through contact with other people’s skin or a common object, such as workout machines or bar soap, that has come into contact with MRSA.

“When the first case was found, the entire weight room and fitness center were disinfected and sanitized at least three times, and it’s cleaned every time a weight room employee comes on shift using a sanitation liquid,” the weight room supervisor Josh Darnell said. “Nobody’s gotten MRSA from the weight room, and we’re working with the Athletic Training Department to prevent it.”

Another thing people can do to prevent an MRSA infection is to recognize the warning signs of having one. If there is a spot on the skin that looks like a pimple, an ingrown hair, or a spider bite but has pain out of proportion to what you think it should be, make sure to contact a health care provider immediately.

While MRSA can be treated, an untreated infection can lead to blood and bone infections, pneumonia, organ damage, or, in extreme cases, death.

Across the country, more schools are becoming aware of and informed about MRSA infections. APU is in the process of educating students on the importance of practicing good hygiene and keeping living quarters clean to prevent the spread of highly contagious staph infections like MRSA.

“If it becomes an issue, I think [administrators] need to tell us about it,” junior communication studies major Tracy Prouty said.

Those in charge, Reed and Brian Gleason, the Safety Manager in Human Resources, will notify the university where they need to be aware of an infection, including Housekeeping, RezLife and the Health Center. Reed said the task force is currently trying to get information out to students about MRSA.