Worcester News

• May 2, 2008 4:13 pm US/Eastern
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  Two Fitchburg Students Diagnosed With MRSA

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Two Fitchburg Students Diagnosed With MRSA

FITCHBURG, Mass. (WBZ) ― There's an important warning for parents in Fitchburg.

Two public school students are infected with an antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria.

The school superintendent sent letters home informing parents that the students have MRSA infections.

The names and conditions of the children have not been released. 

MRSA is a form of Staph aureus, a common type of bacteria that can live harmlessly on our skin and in our noses.  But this form is resistent to many of the antibiotics typically used to treat Staph, so when MRSA causes an infection, it can be aggressive and very difficult to treat.

The best defense against MRSA is proper hygiene.  Children should wash their hands often and parents should make sure cuts and scrapes on them are covered up with clean bandages to keep them from getting contaminated.  Kids should also avoid sharing personal items with other students such as gym towels, athletic wear and mouthguards.

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