How can I help protect my child from a MRSA infection?
The number of kids requiring hospital care for MRSA infections has doubled since 2000. Pediatrician Dr. Tanya Remer Altmann shares tips to prevent common cuts and scrapes from becoming infected by MRSA bacteria.
Transcript
MRSA bugs are everywhere, especially in schools and gyms. Most of the time, they don't cause trouble.
But when MRSA bacteria gets into open wounds, it's serious. [MUSIC PLAYING]
Kids fall down all the time, and most scrapes and cuts heal quickly. But some get infected.
And some of those infections can turn deadly. In particular, I'm talking about MRSA, the dangerous antibiotic-resistant infection
that has plagued hospitals for years and is now multiplying in communities. The number of children requiring hospital care due to MRSA
has doubled since 2000. MRSA bugs are everywhere, especially in schools and gyms.
Most of the time, they don't cause trouble. But when MRSA bacteria gets into open wounds, it's serious.
Here's how to protect your kids. Squirt on disinfectant and wash your hands before washing your child's cut.
Keep open wounds clean and covered. When your child has a cut, stress the importance of good hygiene and frequent handwashing.
If you notice growing redness, swelling, tenderness, warmth, or pus, call your pediatrician.
If it's MRSA, your doctor may prescribe a special antibiotic ointment or an oral antibiotic, depending on the severity of the infection.
Caution your children not to share athletic gear and to clean gym machines with disinfectant wipes before and after using.
first aid safety
Browse videos by topic categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
ALL