Community Health Partnership to present program on MRSA

Hermitage, PA — Carlene A. Muto, MD, MS, director of infection control with UPMC Presbyterian and assistant professor in the division of infectious diseases with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, will present “Taking the Mystery out of MRSA” Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the Hickory High School auditorium. This free educational program is coordinated by the Community Health Partnership of Mercer County, whose MRSA Task Force members include Grove City Medical Center, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Sharon Regional Health System, and UPMC Horizon.

Staphylococcus Aureus, or staph, is a germ typically found on the skin or in the noses of healthy people and is one of the most common causes of skin infections in humans. Staph can cause serious infections in surgical wounds and the bloodstream, as well as pneumonia, but the majority of staph infections, including pimples or boils, are minor. However, some staph bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics. These bacteria are known as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, or MRSA.

Community-acquired MRSA is commonly found in settings such as jails, daycare centers, schools, and fitness centers. Infection occurs most frequently when the following five “Cs” are present: crowding, frequent skin-to-skin contact, compromised (cut or scraped) skin, contaminated items and surfaces, and lack of cleanliness. The skin infection often resembles a spider bite and may include skin redness, warmth, swelling, pus, skin tenderness, pimples, boils, blisters, or abscesses.

Space for this program is limited. Registration is required by calling 724-983-5518 or 1-800-346-7997.

Contact: Erin Palko, public relations manager, 724-589-8107