Health Clubs

Contents:
FAST FACTS: MRSA AND YOU
ABOUT MRSA



Fast Facts: MRSA and You

What is MRSA?
For more information about MRSA and the threat it poses to business and individuals today, please click here: About MRSA

How Can I Prevent Staph or MRSA Infections at My Health Club?
There are a lot of people looking to get fit. But they could also get something they don't want -- germs. In the outbreaks of MRSA, the environment has not played an important role in the spread of MRSA. MRSA is transmitted most frequently by direct skin-to-skin contact.

All those people, all that exposed skin and all that sweat, can create a perfect storm for spreading infections. It can be as simple as a sick person uses the machine, someone else uses it next, that person touches the same handrest and then touches his eyes ... and he, too, can get sick.

When to suspect MRSA:
Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia or bloodstream infections. Because these infections are antibiotic-resistant, controlling the infection can be extremely difficult and the disease often proves fatal.

Prevention:
You can protect yourself from infections by practicing good hygiene (e.g., keeping your hands clean by washing with soap and warm water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and showering after working out); covering any open skin abrasions or cuts with a clean dry bandage; avoiding sharing personal items such as towels or razors; using a barrier (e.g., clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment; and wiping surfaces of equipment before and after use.