Maine South wrestler diagnosed with contagious skin infection

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Updated: March 3, 2012 8:09AM

A case of an antibiotic-resistent staph infection has been reported at Maine South High School in Park Ridge.

In a letter to parents posted on the school’s website, Principal Shawn Messmer reported that a member of the school’s wrestling team had recently been diagnosed as having Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, more commonly known as MRSA.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, MRSA is a difficult-to-treat skin infection that can be spread through close skin-to-skin contact or through contaminated items or surfaces.

MRSA is resistant to antibiotics commonly used to treat staph infections, though the drug Vancomycin, used intravenously, has been found to be the most effective, the health department stated.

To prevent staph skin infections the health department recommends thorough hand-washing and use of alcohol-based hand gel; covering cuts and scrapes with a bandage until they are healed; avoiding contact with others’ wounds; and not sharing personal items, like towels, soap or razors.

Maine South is also recommending that students clean and disinfect objects like gym and sports equipment before using them; shower immediately after sports practice or games; and wash clothes, linen and towels in hot water and use a dryer rather than air-drying them.