MRSA

MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) is a type of staphylococcus aureus bacterium normally carried on the skin and nose of healthy people. Some staph bacteria are resistant to the class of antibiotics usually used to treat staph infections, such as methicillin, and are referred to as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). Even though it is resistant, it is treatable with a different type of antibiotic. This infection usually involves mild, superficial skin or soft tissue infections, such as boils, pimples, or abscesses. The symptoms may include redness, areas warm to the touch, pain, drainage, discomfort, and swelling.

To prevent communicable disease transmission, the State College Area School District follows the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, the same guidelines followed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, for infectious/communicable diseases and conditions. The district has been in further contact with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and a number of medical consultants, to ensure the procedures in place within the district are in full compliance with these guidelines.