What's the best defense against MRSA in the community? Protecting yourself from MRSA in the community -- which might be just about anywhere -- may seem daunting, but these common-sense precautions can help reduce your risk: · Wash your hands. Careful hand washing remains your best defense against germs. Scrub hands briskly for at least 15 seconds, then dry them with a disposable towel and use another towel to turn off the faucet. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer containing at least 62 percent alcohol for times when you don't have access to soap and water. · Keep personal items personal. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, razors, clothing and athletic equipment. MRSA spreads on contaminated objects as well as through direct contact. · Keep wounds covered. Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal. The pus from infected sores may contain MRSA, and
, and D. Y. C. Fung. 2006. Prevention and tamination procedures commonly used in the beef- decontamination of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on raw processing industry. Journal of Food Protection beef carcasses in commercial beef abattoirs. Journal 60(9):1146–1151. of Rapid Methods and Automation in Microbiology Dorsa, W. J., C. N. Cutter, and G. R. Siragusa. 1996a. 14(1):1–95. Effectiveness of a steam–vacuum sanitizer for reduc- EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). 2008. ing Escherichia coli O157:H7 inoculated to beef Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Biological Hazards carcass surface tissue. Letters in Applied Microbiology on a request from DG SANCO on the assessment of 23(1):61–63. the possible effect of the four antimicrobial treatment Dorsa, W. J., C. N. Cutter, G. R. Siragusa, and M
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