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Dirty Schools

by Jennie Nicassio

mrsa.jpg

Recently the students from Penn Trafford School District were sent home with a letter from the school nurse warning parents and students about an increase in the “staph” infection MRSA-CA.

The nurse stated in her letter that MRSA was not a problem for healthy people who’s immune system was not compromised. That statement is not true according to the Mayo Clinic. Staph infections are generally harmless unless they enter the body through a cut, or wound; however,if it’s a MRSA bacteria which is a strain that is resistant to antibiotics a healthy person who does not clean the wound properly may develop the infection.

One of the few antibiotics effective against the strain is in Vancomycin; however, the drug may not work in all cases.

MRSA was first detected in the 1990’s in hospitals when the Staph infections started to outwit antibiotics.

“Staph bacteria are normally found on the skin or in the nose of about one-third of the population. If you have staph on your skin or in your nose but aren’t sick, you are said to be “colonized” , but not infected with MRSA. Healthy people can be colonized with MRSA and have no ill effects, however, they can pass the germ to others”(http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mrsa/DS00735

MRSA is responsible for many serious skin, soft tissue infections and for a serious form of pneumonia.

I don’t think MRSA-CA( METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREAU) IS THE PROBLEM .

THE PROBLEM IS OUR SCHOOLS ARE FILTHY!

You can put shiny new paint on classroom walls the start of each new school year, cover the floors with new carpet, but this only masks the real problem. The problem is ,our schools are dirty, bacteria ridden, mold infectious breeding grounds.

Instead of spending money on athletic equipment such as, Nike spikes , full body gear for all the players of the football team; schools should be spending money on a professional cleaning service who are trained in professonal cleaning and sanitizing procedures.

Why cut costs on our children’s health.

While studying for my undergraduate degree I worked as a substitute administrative assistant and I spent time as a cafeteria monitor. I saw first hand how dirty the schools really were.

I witnessed cafeteria workers using filthy towels that reek on the lunch tables that our children ate at. I saw bathrooms that were dirtier than some rest stops on the turnpike. The inmates at the county jail probably have cleaner bathrooms.

The schools are too warm. They should be kept cool; germs spread in warm confined enviroments. Tempertures in the elementary schools are about 72 degrees and higher, this too warm. Carpets should be ripped up and replaced with tile or wood. Carpets are havens for all types of bacteria.

I know for a fact that some football players in the past had left their sweaty practice uniform, and pads in their locker room for weeks at a time without washing them; no wonder MSRA spreads throughout the football team every year.

Signs and Symptoms of Staph and MRSA

Staph and MRSA usually begins with a small pump that resembles a pimple, boil or even a spider bite. They rapidly develop into a very painful abscess that needs to be drained. Sometimes the bacteria remains confined to the skin but may travel to the deep tissue, bones , joints. Eventually if may works it way into major organs that could lead to death.

The causes of MRSA are man-made.

Unnecessary antibiotic use in humans

Antibiotics in food and water

Germ mutation

Good hand washing and hygiene will prevent the spread of MRSA and other infections. Tell you children never share any personal items with anyone.

Links to better school health.
http://www.advocatesforchildren.org/pubs/HealthySchools_2005.pdf

http://www.advocatesforchildren.org/pubs/HealthySchools_2005.pdf

http://eetd.lbl.gov/ie/pdf/LBNL-48287.pdf

MRSA links

http://www.healthline.com/blogs/outdoor_health/2006/10/mrsa.html

http://www.mrsanotes.com/brandon-staffords-mrsa-story/


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Moms Soapbox is a forum for all of the fantastically ridiculous issues that face Moms (and Dads) in today's world of information overload and endless checklists on how to be the perfect parent. My intention is to break some stereotypes about what a Mother should be and share with my readers the experiences I have had in raising my two teenage sons while trying to juggle graduate school, a house full of responsibilities and a desire to go with my gut when it comes to parenting. My hope is to show that you can be comfortable enough with yourself and your family to show the world that it isn't a competition but rather a journey to learn and laugh as much as possible

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