Precautions:

• Treat any draining wound as a potential MRSA infection.
• Make sure the wound is fully covered at all times, especially if the athlete participates in direct contact with other athletes.
• Encourage the athlete to be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
• Inform the healthcare provider of the possibility of MRSA.

Caring for MRSA at school:

• Instruct the athlete to practice frequent handwashing and to carry and use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
• Permit the athlete to participate in team activities, but make sure the wound is fully covered at all times.
• Do not allow an athlete with a MRSA infection to use any whirlpools or hot tubs.
• Encourage the athlete to follow good hygienic practices—washing hands, showering, and regularly laundering clothes.
• Clean sports equipment or any part of the athletic area that may come in contact with the wound with commercial disinfectant or fresh solution of diluted bleach before any other athlete comes in contact with the equipment or area.
• Use clean, non-sterile gloves when caring for the wound or touching any broken skin.
• Remove gloves promptly after use and discard before touching uncontaminated items and surfaces and before treating another athlete.
• Wash hands immediately after contact with the wound or broken skin even if gloves were worn.
• Wash hands between tasks and procedures on the same athlete to prevent cross-contamination of different body sites.
• Cover treatment tables. Discard or launder coverings after each use.
• Place disposable items that have come in contact with the infected site in a separate trash bag, and secure the bag before placing in the common garbage.
• Do not give other team members prophylactic antibiotics.