Community Associated Methicillin Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus in the Workplace

Questions and Answers About MRSA for Employees

What is Community Associated Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CAMRSA)?

CA-MRSA is caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Infection with MRSA means that some antibiotics will not work against these bacteria. Many people carry Staphylococcal organisms in their nasal cavity, but do not have an active infection. Those people are called “carriers”. Most people who get an infection with CA-MRSA think they have a spider bite because of a reddened area on the skin that may drain pus or form an abscess. How do we prevent CA MRSA in the work setting? Handwashing is the best way to prevent infection. Avoid sharing lotions, bar soaps and other personal items with coworkers. Wash hands with antibacterial soap and use disposable paper towels. If you have a skin infection, please sanitize your work area with a disinfectant. Any oozing wound must be covered while you are in a public place where you may potentially infect others with the drainage.

What should I do if I think I have CA-MRSA?

The best thing is to visit your health care provider. They will culture your wound to see if it is a bacterial infection, and then treat you with the appropriate antibiotics. It is important to keep your would clean and dry and properly bandaged or protected, especially if it is draining pus. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling soiled bandages. If you must change your bandages in the workplace, put the soiled bandages in a plastic bag so that others will not come in contact with them.

Can I work if I have CA-MRSA?

You may absolutely work if you have CA-MRSA. As long as the wound is appropriately covered (the outside of the bandage is dry), transmission of the bacteria to another person is highly unlikely. To further protect those around you, you may consider sanitizing your workspace at the end of the day or before breaks if others may use your space. According to 35 PA § 521 (Disease Prevention and Control Law of 1955), Public Health, in its role, will isolate or quarantine individuals who pose a risk to the public. Hospitals will isolate or quarantine individuals per their health care policies. The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) believes that employers, service providers, education providers, or other institutions may not exclude applicants, consumers, or students based on infection or colonization with any microorganism (bacteria or virus). These entities have a legal duty to provide special facilities or services needed in order to do the job, access the service, study at the educational authority, as long as it won’t cause an unjustifiable hardship to do so.