Stoughton High Student Has Clinically Diagnosed Case of MRSA

The following message was posted on the Stoughton High School website by principal Julie Miller. It also was e-mailed to SHS parents. Parents received a recorded message from the school as well:

The purpose of this message is to inform you that we have a student at Stoughton High School with a clinically diagnosed case of MRSA. MRSA is a type of staph infection that is resistant to some kinds of antibiotics.  The staph bacteria are commonly carried on the skin and in the nose of healthy people.  In fact, 25-30% of the healthy US population carries staph at any time, a portion of which are MRSA.

MRSA and all other staph infections can be spread through direct skin to skin contact, contact with items that have been used by a person with staph or shared athletic equipment.

After consulting with our local Public Health Department, Board of Health and Health Agent and the Department of Epidemiology at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, we have completed all steps suggested by the Centers for Disease Control to prevent further infection.

The most important thing that you can do to prevent any staph infection is proper and frequent handwashing.  In addition, keep all scrapes and cuts clean and covered with a clean bandage until healed.

Please be aware that this message is strictly informative.  The Stoughton Public School Department has followed all public health recommendations.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child, we suggest that you call your child's Primary Care Physician. You may access the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website for additional information.