Vira-Block

Infection Protection

Your first line of defense against Staph

What is Staph and MRSA?

Staph is a type of bacteria. It may cause skin infections that look like pimples or boils. Skin infections caused by Staph may be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. Some Staph (known as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA) are resistant to certain antibiotics, making it harder to treat.

Who gets Staph Infections?

Anyone can get a Staph infection. People are more likely to get a Staph infection if they:

Residing in a long-term care facility. MRSA is far more prevalent in these facilities than it is in hospitals. Carriers of MRSA have the ability to spread it, even if they're not sick themselves.
Invasive devices. People who are on dialysis, are catheterized, or have feeding tubes or other invasive devices are at higher risk.
Young age. MRSA can be particularly dangerous in children. Often entering the body through a cut or scrape, MRSA can quickly cause a wide spread infection. Children may be susceptible because their immune systems aren't fully developed or they don't yet have antibodies to common germs. Children and young adults are also much more likely to develop dangerous forms of pneumonia than older people are.
Participating in contact sports. MRSA has crept into both amateur and professional sports teams. The bacteria spread easily through cuts and abrasions and skin-to-skin contact.
Sharing towels or athletic equipment. Although few outbreaks have been reported in public gyms, MRSA has spread among athletes sharing soap, razors, towels, uniforms or equipment.
Having a weakened immune system. People with weakened immune systems, including those living with HIV/AIDS, are more likely to have severe MRSA infections.
Living in crowded or unsanitary conditions. Outbreaks of MRSA have occurred in military training camps and in American and European prisons.
Association with health care workers. People who are in close contact with health care workers are at increased risk of serious Staph infections.

How serious are Staph Infections?

Staph infections, including MRSA, generally start as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. These can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. Sometimes the bacteria remain confined to the skin. But they can also burrow deep into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs. It is important to contact your doctor if your infection does not get better.

How are Staph Infections Treated?

Treatment for a Staph skin infection may include taking an antibiotic or having a doctor drain the infection. If you are given an antibiotic, be sure to take all of the doses, even if the infection is getting better, unless your doctor tells you to stop taking it. Do not share antibiotics with other people or save them to use later.

How do I prevent Staph Infections, and keep them from spreading?

Wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based liquid hand antiseptic
Keep your cuts and scrapes clean and cover them with bandages
Do not touch other people's cuts or bandages
Do not share personal items like clothing, athletic equipment, soap, towels or razors
Sanitize linens
See your doctor if infection persists

Vira-Block Efficacy Testing:

In-Vitro and In -Vivo studies indicate that Vira-Block effectively kills over 99.999 of Methicillin (antibiotic) Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) In-Vitro studies were carried out accordingÊ to test requirements 333.470,testing of health care antiseptic drug products FDA#21 CFR 333(1994) additional activity determined using In-Vitro quantitative suspension test according to EN 12054, followed by In-Vivo tests on the hands of volunteers, according to EN 1500 for hygienic hand disinfection and EN 12791 for surgical hand disinfection.**

** see Clinical Studies for complete testing results