Health alert

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • Staff writer
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Base officials are asking Airmen to pay close attention to any unusual skin infections and to act accordingly. 

The 62nd Medical Group has found a general increase of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infections on base and in the Tacoma/Pierce County area, said Master Sgt. John Lachance, 62nd Medical Operations Squadron. 

MRSA can be contracted by touching surfaces that have MRSA on them, coming in contact with the infected skin of someone with MRSA or sharing sports equipment and personal hygiene items, according to the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department. MRSA has become resistance to common antibiotics, so it is harder to treat, Sergeant Lachance said. 

"It's a very hearty bacteria, so it can live on hard surfaces for a long time," he said. MRSA can have the appearance of a spider bite, any infected skin, boils or abscesses and Impetigo, according to TPCHD. 

"If it seems like something is not healing as quickly as it should, we recommend that people come into the clinic," Sergeant Lachance said. 

TPCHD recommends people wash their hands often with warm soapy water, avoid contacts with other people's skin infections and avoid sharing personal hygiene items. Wiping down keyboards, phones and doorknobs daily with a disinfectant will decrease risk of infection.