Central Prepares for Cold and Flu Season

November 7, 2007

ELLENSBURG, Wash.--As we enter the primary cold, flu and infection season, staff at the Central Washington University Health Center would like to remind faculty, staff and students of the simple precautions to prevent transmission of viruses and bacterial infections.

"The best precaution continues to be hand washing with hot water and soap, following up with using paper towels to open and close bathroom doors and shut off faucets," says Dr. Jack Horsley, medical director of Central's Health Center.

"When hand washing is unavailable, the use of hand sanitizers can be considered a substitute, knowing that hand washing is preferred," Horsley adds. He also says we should always cover our mouths when sneezing or coughing to prevent other people from coming in contact with droplets from our mouth, throat or nose.

Staff at the Health Center would also like to acknowledge that with good hygiene and awareness, staff infections like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aereus (MRSA), which has been getting quite a lot of media coverage lately, can be prevented. A staff member at Central was recently diagnosed with MRSA, more commonly known as the "superbug," which is resistant to some antibiotics and can be difficult to treat. The CWU staff member went home after being diagnosed to prevent the spread of the disease. It's unsure how the infection was contracted.

According to the Washington State Department of Health's Web site, MRSA skin infections are serious and need to be treated. The site also states MRSA is contagious and can be spread to others through skin-to-skin contact. When MRSA first appears on the skin, it's swollen and red and often thought to be a pimple, boil or spider-bite. The bacteria, which are present in the nose and on the skin of healthy people, can cause infection when they get into the body through an open sore or cut on the skin.

According to health officials, the best way to prevent the spread of MRSA is to practice good hygiene by washing your hands often, covering cuts on your skin with clean bandages, not sharing water bottles, towels, clothing and razors. If you believe you have a sore or cut on your skin that might be infected, contact a medical expert right away.

Central officials have worked closely with the Kittitas County Public Health Office to help raise awareness and prevent the spread of MRSA on campus. For more information on MRSA, log on to www.co.kittitas.wa.us/health and click on the MRSA link. Information can also be found at the Washington State Department of Health Web site at www.doh.wa.gov. Information about the CWU Student Health and Counseling Center can be found at www.cwu.edu~hcws.

Contact: Jack Horsley, Medical Director CWU Health Center, 509-963-1874

Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, olint@cwu.edu, 509-963-1416

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.