In recent weeks, two students at Cross Lanes Elementary suffered staph infections that physicians believe might have been MRSA, a drug-resistant form of the infection.

Brenda Isaac, lead school nurse for Kanawha County schools, said the two students were in separate classrooms.

"They treated it and the kids are already back in school," Isaac said. "It's not uncommon. We probably have a couple of cases a month like that out in the county."

MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is spread by skin-to-skin contact.

Both students returned to school with notes from their physicians, who indicated the children were treated and are no longer contagious, she said.

Isaac said there have been no other problems at the school and the students' classrooms were disinfected just to be on the safe side.

Isaac appreciates that the students' parents notified school officials; not all parents do, she said.

Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful or have pus or other drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections or surgical-wound infections.

Infections often occur in hospitals and health-care facilities such as nursing homes. MRSA also can infect people in the community.

"This is community-acquired MRSA, unlike hospital-acquired MRSA which is a lot more lethal and a lot harder to get rid of," Isaac said.

To contact staff writer Davin White, use e-mail or call 348-1254.

In recent weeks, two students at Cross Lanes Elementary suffered staph infections that physicians believe might have been MRSA, a drug-resistant form of the infection.

Brenda Isaac, lead school nurse for Kanawha County schools, said the two students were in separate classrooms.

"They treated it and the kids are already back in school," Isaac said. "It's not uncommon. We probably have a couple of cases a month like that out in the county."

MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is spread by skin-to-skin contact.

Both students returned to school with notes from their physicians, who indicated the children were treated and are no longer contagious, she said.

Isaac said there have been no other problems at the school and the students' classrooms were disinfected just to be on the safe side.

Isaac appreciates that the students' parents notified school officials; not all parents do, she said.

Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful or have pus or other drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections or surgical-wound infections.

Infections often occur in hospitals and health-care facilities such as nursing homes. MRSA also can infect people in the community.

"This is community-acquired MRSA, unlike hospital-acquired MRSA which is a lot more lethal and a lot harder to get rid of," Isaac said.

To contact staff writer Davin White, use e-mail or call 348-1254.