A wrestler diagnosed with a staph infection earlier this week has prompted Cholla High Magnet School to do some deep cleaning.
The student was diagnosed Tuesday but it’s not clear if he has the standard infection or MRSA, which is a form of staph that is resistant to antibiotics.
Staph or staphylococcus aureus are bacteria healthy people can carry on the skin or in the nose. Staph bacteria commonly cause skin infections, such as boils. Most of these infections are not life-threatening.
Staph is commonly spread through direct physical contact with an infected individual or by touching objects contaminated with the bacteria. The infection occurs when skin is punctured or broken.
As a result, the southwest side school has closed off the wrestling room until it can be properly disinfected, said Cholla Principal Frank Armenta. There is also a plan in place to wipe all shared surfaces and custodians have been called in to disinfect higher-risk areas such as classrooms, desks and other areas where the infected student may have been.
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The school sent a letter home Friday and said parents of students who might have been exposed to the infected student will be contacted individually.
No other students have reported any symptoms of staph, which include redness, warmth, swelling, pus, tenderness of the skin, pimples, boils or blisters.
Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at ahuicochea@azstarnet.com or 573-4175.
