The staph infections that have been spreading around campus are a new, more resistant strand of the Staphylococcus bacteria known as MRSA. Although routine staph infections have been around for years, MRSA infections evolved only recently. Director of Health Services Dr. Warren Morgan explained that MRSA is generally more difficult to treat than a routine staph infection because it is resistant to many antibiotics.
Staph is primarily spread by breaks in the skin. Although most students are aware that large tears or wounds on the body are vulnerable, most students do not realize that even the smallest cuts from shaving can become infected if they come into contact with contaminated bacteria.
MRSA bacteria can live for as little as a few minutes or as long as a few hours on an open area such as a gym mat or bleacher. "The key to stopping the spread of these infections is to make sure to spray or wipe down [gym] equipment," said Morgan. "If a person is wearing gym shorts or a bathing suit and that person sits down on a bench or bleacher, the germs from the infection come in contact with that surface."
Last year there were 10 cases of staph, only four of which occurred during first semester. Morgan is concerned that the health center has already seen four infections since the start of the academic year. "We've enlisted a lot of people's help to try and figure out why these things are reoccurring," he said. "I get a sense that there has definitely been a lack of vigilance. It isn't a good sign [that] we've got four cases before the semester is half over."
Morgan added that one of the reasons for the reoccurrence of staph may be that students do not understand how serious the infection can become.
The doctor also reiterated some tips to stem the spread of staph that are posted on flyers around campus. He placed extra emphasis on the importance of not sharing personal items such as razors or athletic equipment-even items as harmless as flip-flops can carry bacteria.
Although the College wants students to start taking staph more seriously, Morgan noted that the reoccurrence of these infections is certainly not particular to Amherst alone. "Staph is not just at Amherst. However, we have to do our best to modify our behavior to keep things from spreading," he said. "This is certainly not an epidemic, it is just something that has evolved over time."
Students who experience symptoms such as a pimple or boil on the skin or a large red swollen area around what looks like an insect bite or ingrown hair should seek medical attention.
Athletes who notice these symptoms can check in with their athletic trainers, who have extensive knowledge about these infections. Other students can go directly to the health center. "The biggest misunderstanding that I am seeing is that people who have relatively mild to moderate infections don't realize how serious it can be," Morgan said. "We'd rather look at every pimple and err on the side of caution than have some go undetected."
The difficulty in identifying staph is that it can look like so many other things. "It can be hard to tell if you might have an infection like this," said Morgan. He explained that staph can only be identified through a culture. Culture results are crucial to making sure the patient receives the proper antibiotic.
In order to stem the spread of infection, students should be conscious of their bodies so that they can catch staph before it gets serious. "The most effective way to treat MRSA infections is to catch them as quickly as possible," Morgan said. "The first step in treatment is to make the diagnosis."
Tri-captain of the women's tennis team Hadley Miller '06 said that in light of the recent news about staph reoccurring, she is going to be sure to inform her teammates about methods to prevent them from getting the infection. "I honestly had no idea that the staph was back!" she said. "So I guess the main problem is awareness. People just don't know about it. But now that we do, we'll inform our teammates and tell them how to prevent it."
Captain of the men's swim team Adam Lewkowitz '06 said that the team is well-informed about how to remain safe from infection. "Because we have had three of the four cases, our coach has posted information on how to prevent spreading staph infections on his office windows where everyone can see it," he said. "In addition, the school has bought disinfectant that is sprayed at least once daily over the deck, and those who have been diagnosed are not allowed in the water until cleared by the office."
Some teams considered themselves safe from infection. Co-captain of women's cross country team Shauneen Garrahan '07 admitted that until recently, runners never worried much about staph. "Since cross country is not a contact sport, in the past our team considered ourselves safe from infection," she said. "After the cases last year, however, our coach has repeatedly reminded us not to share towels and soap and to make sure that we keep our locker room clean so that it can be disinfected. Now that there have been additional cases of staph, our team will be even more cautious and aware of using disinfectant before and after lifting in the gym."
Hopefully as students become more knowledgeable about how easily MRSA infections can spread, they will become more vigilant in their personal hygiene and gym cleanliness.