Eight students taking antibiotics for staph infections

by Wanda Combs
Editor

Eight FCHS students who were identified as having staph infections last week are taking antibiotics, and Dr. Terry Arbogast, superintendent, said the division has not had any additional cases this week.
Staph, pronounced “staff” and the shortened name for staphylococcus aureus, is a type of bacteria that is spread by contaminated objects or often by skin-to-skin contact.
The school’s weight room, a common area to those involved, was closed for several days and sanitized, Dr. Arbogast said Monday. The locker room and desks in the school were also sanitized, as recommended by Dr. Jody Hershey, district health director.
Dr. Arbogast emphasized that these staph infections are distinguished from the more serious MRSA infections. “We have not had any confirmed cases of MRSA.”
A letter sent to parents last week and talking about staph infections was actually intended to go out several weeks ago as a precautionary measure in the event of such incidents. The letter, Dr. Arbogast explained, was a model Dr. Hershey had recommended all superintendents in the New River Valley use to help provide information. After the students’ diagnoses, the letter was immediately sent to parents, Dr. Arbogast said.
The school nurse keeps in daily contact with students involved, Dr. Arbogast said. “Any students that has it keeps it covered up.” He added that doctors keep the school division notified.
Every year the school division has some cases of staph infections, Dr. Arbogast told the Press, and where there is perspiration and there are uniforms and equipment involved, there is a propensity for such things. Why there were more this year, he said he didn’t know.