Staph Infection Prevalent at CMU

by Jason Antoniewicz

Central Michigan University Health Services has seen five potential cases of antibiotic-resistant staph infection within the past two weeks.

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, known more commonly as MRSA (pronounced "Mer-suh") infection, is a community-borne illness. Institutions such as prisons and college residence halls are common breeding ground for cases of MRSA.

According to Central Michigan District Health Department, MRSA can be contracted through open cuts and sores while sharing community items such as towels and athletic equipment. Symptoms include seeing a swollen, painful bump on your skin, as well as yellow discharge coming from that bump. Serious or untreated infections can lead to worse conditions like pneumonia, or even death.

Two departments on CMU's campus have reason to worry. Coming in contact with another person's towel is not uncommon in a residence hall setting.

Associate Director of Residence Life Joan Schmidt said she has fortunately only had to deal with minor cases of community-borne illness.

"We follow what Health Services tells us," Schmidt said. "They do the investigating and they tell us how to handle it."

Typically, a student in a residence hall who contracts an illness like MRSA will be sent home until doctors clear them for return. Schmidt said most of what her office does are preventive measures before problems occur. She maintains monthly phone contact with Health Services to stay ahead of any illnesses on their way.

The Student Activity Center takes a similar tact, having posted messages about keeping facilities and equipment clean for years. Antibacterial spray bottles pepper workout areas, so machines remain germ free.

"Our policies help control the risk," said Stan Shingles, director of daily operations for the SAC.

The SAC takes on the issue of controlling outbreaks by comparing their standards with similar industries such as health clubs. They also work closely with Central Michigan District Health Department.

"We learned a lot from them," Shingles said. "We haven't had any major outbreaks of anything, including MRSA last year, when that was very prevalent on college campuses."

If one thinks they have MRSA, they can have it looked at by a medical professional. Many cases can be treated using antibiotics, or by draining the affected area. Allan Riggs, physician assistant for Central Michigan University Health Services, explained how the drugs he uses to treat MRSA constantly change, because the bacterium is very adaptable.

"That's one of our concerns," he said.

As to where it originates, Riggs explained that the scientific community simply does not know.

"We used to ask in medical school, 'who got the first case of gonorrhea?' Who knows?" he said.

Riggs gave a talk on campus two years ago about MRSA infection concerns, and to raise awareness. Riggs urged even the most careful people to be aware of their person-to-person contact.

"Even people in fencing...got MRSA under their (equipment)," he said.