Three cases of MRSA a staph infection of the skin have been reported locally according to Public Health Information Officer Dave Palmer. For the year 2007 a total of 375 cases have been reported in the state of Georgia. "This is the community - acquired MRSA reported from schools and jails. Hospital only report MRSA when it results in death," stated Palmer.

District 2 includes the counties of Forsyth, Dawson, Hall and Lumpkin. The reports are only made by districts and not by counties according to Palmer. In the Polk County school district ten cases of this staph infection has been reported. Polk is not one of the 13 most nothern districts.  The news of the staph infection in the school systems has  gained the attention of the school nurses and custodians. In taking a proactive step information has be disseminated through the Forsyth County schools concerning the spreading of MRSA, treatment and diagnoses. Can this staph infrection be an emerging cause for alarm in our communities?

This organism, found worldwide, causes a skin infection that is commonly known as MRSA an acronym for metchicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureas bacteria. A bacteria which can produce a red rash resembling mosquito bites on the body, boils, abscesses, and sties. MRSA is diagnosed by taking a skin tissue biopsy, a urine sample, or a blood sample then sending it to a microbiology lab to be cultured

Despite the fact that a person can be a carrier of the bacteria or be infected with the bacteria, MRSA is transmitted through people. This bacteria can be spread by physical contact and or physically touching objects that a carrier or infected person has touched an example would be doors, gym equipment, and restroom sinks. MRSA can be found in hospitals, schools, and public buildings. The bacteria can enter by a tiny opening of the skin, like a scrape, paper cut etc.

This bacteria can be life threatening if it spreads to the internal organs. Signs and symptoms that would require immediate medical attention are fever, sever headaches, shortness of breath or a rash over half of the body. To reduce the spreading of MRSA washing ones hands with Dial soap is suggested and wiping areas and equipment with a bleach and water solution.

MRSA can be treated with antibiotics. However, the resistance of MRSA to some antibiotics may require that medicine be changed quickly to another antibiotic or used in a combination form. Most importantly, the medicine must be taken as prescribed and completely taken. Even if the person should start to feel better within a couple of days, if the medicine is not finished the bacteria could still be in existence and reinfect the person.

Pediatrician C. Robert Metzger, founder of the Cumming Pediatric Group, states that "Most bacterial skin infections are due to Staphylococcus aureas or Staphylococcus organisms and are fortunately not methaicillin resistant and thus less serious. Only cultures can distinguish between these types as all skin infections should be examined and cultured by a physician."

More information on MRSA can be found by going www.medicine.net.com/mrsa_infection or http://health.state.ga.us/mrsa/.