Letters were sent home with students at Lafayette High School Monday, after a parent reported a student there was diagnosed with Methcillin-Resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA), a type of staph infection.

Doctors say this type of staph infection is resistant to many antibiotics.

Fayette County school officials say this case has not yet been confirmed, and they're working closely with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department to make a determination.

But officials are proceeding as if the case was confirmed. Lafayette is taking precautionary measures, including a intensive cleaning regime advised by the Health Department.

School officials say the student will not return to classes at Lafayette until he's been cleared by a doctor.

The following is information about MRSA, provided by Fayette County Schools.

MRSA infections can be mild or very serious and are spread through skin-to-skin contact or by direct contact with the infected wound drainage. In some cases, they may also be spread by contact with contaminated surfaces. They are not spread through the air.

Common signs of a skin infection include redness, warmth, swelling and tenderness. Often a MRSA infection will look like a spider bite, boil, abscess or turf burn. If it is left untreated, it could progress into a more serious illness.

The best way to protect against MRSA infections is frequent hand washing with soap and water or a 60 percent alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water is not available. Health officials also recommend that students avoid sharing personal items such as bar soap, towels, washcloths, razors, clothing or athletic equipment.