Staph infection diagnosed in Stevens student
Health advisory issued
Sheeraz Hyder
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Campus News
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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA for short is an infection that has been diagnosed in several colleges around the nation. Yesterday, October 25, a student at Stevens Institute of Technology was diagnosed with MRSA and Stevens issued a health advisory around 7 p.m. to the student body following the diagnosis. The advisory aimed to provide students with accurate information about MRSA and offered risk minimization steps that members of the Stevens community could take.
The infection was diagnosed in the early stages and appropriate medication was given to the student. The student was examined by a Stevens physician who said that the student is not contagious and determined that the infection is clearing. However as a preliminary precaution the residence hall room of the student and the floor bathroom has been cleansed with anti-bacterial solution.
Stevens advised that the first preventative action "is for any member of the community with a skin lesion, including lesions that resemble a bug bite, to seek a medical evaluation." The students "may use the Stevens Health Center, their personal physician, of if a varsity athlete, the Trainer's office in the Schaefer Center." If faculty and staff are infected they should "consult with their personal physician."
The health advisory also attached a brochure from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services that "offers MRSA prevention recommendations" and a "summary of high risk behaviors associated with MRSA." Stevens officials including Joe Stahley, Assistant Vice President of Student Development, assured students that "the Student Health Center, Residence Life, Athletics and the Physical Plant departments are working together to address all aspects of prevention." He also said that Stevens faculty, students and staff "can assist by incorporating preventative actions into their daily routine and by encouraging others to do so."
The infection was diagnosed in the early stages and appropriate medication was given to the student. The student was examined by a Stevens physician who said that the student is not contagious and determined that the infection is clearing. However as a preliminary precaution the residence hall room of the student and the floor bathroom has been cleansed with anti-bacterial solution.
Stevens advised that the first preventative action "is for any member of the community with a skin lesion, including lesions that resemble a bug bite, to seek a medical evaluation." The students "may use the Stevens Health Center, their personal physician, of if a varsity athlete, the Trainer's office in the Schaefer Center." If faculty and staff are infected they should "consult with their personal physician."
The health advisory also attached a brochure from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services that "offers MRSA prevention recommendations" and a "summary of high risk behaviors associated with MRSA." Stevens officials including Joe Stahley, Assistant Vice President of Student Development, assured students that "the Student Health Center, Residence Life, Athletics and the Physical Plant departments are working together to address all aspects of prevention." He also said that Stevens faculty, students and staff "can assist by incorporating preventative actions into their daily routine and by encouraging others to do so."