Marion High School Important Health Information





Head Lice — Information About Staphylococcus Infections Reminder To Parents: Parents, please remember to check your child(ren) for head lice every couple of days. Look for tiny gray/tan crawling bugs in their hair or on the scalp. Lice lay tear drop shaped eggs or nits which can be white or light brown and stick at an angle to the hair shaft. Do not mistake a lice egg from dandruff or debris which flake or are easily removed from the hair. Lice eggs are attached securely and will not come off when washing or brushing the hair. Ponytails and braiding of long hair help to reduce the risk of contact. Also encourage your child to avoid exchanging combs, brushes, hats, and coats. Please notify the school nurse if you find lice in your child's hair. Back to Top Many of you have heard about cases of staph and MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) infections in the news recently. Community Unit School District No. 2 nurses would like to share some important information about staph infections with parents and caregivers. This information is not intended to cause alarm. It is sent to inform parents about symptoms to watch for and tips to prevent infections. What is staph? (Staphylococcus aureus) Staph is a type of bacteria. It is commonly carried in the nose and on the skin of healthy people. About 1% of persons have a type of staph (MRSA) that is resistant to the antibiotics that are most commonly used to treat staph infections. Individuals diagnosed with MRSA are treated with antibiotics that are effective against MRSA. What does a staph infection look like? Staph infections may cause skin infections that look like pimples or boils. Skin infections caused by staph may be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. Staph infections are often mistaken for a spider and/or bug bite. Who gets staph infections? Anyone can get a staph infection. People are more likely to get a staph infection if they have: Skin-to-Skin contact with someone who have a staph infection Contact with items and surfaces that have been contaminated with staph Openings in the skin such as cuts or scrapes Poor Hygiene How can you prevent staph infections from spreading? Washing hands often with soap and water. If you are unable to wash your hands with soap and water, the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is effective. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed Good hygiene, including showering with soap Avoid contact with other people’s wounds and bandages Avoid sharing personal items such as towels and razors What is the school doing? Custodians are following recommended cleaning procedures Hand sanitizer will be placed in each classroom Hand sanitizer will be available in the cafeteria Faculty/staff have received information regarding staph infections What should I do if I think my child may have a staph infection? Don’t panic Contact your health care provider as soon as possible. Please notify the school nurse if your child is diagnosed with a staph infection Back to Top