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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Overview

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It causes a staph infection (pronounced "staff infection") that is resistant to several common antibiotics. There are two types of infection. Hospital-associated MRSA happens to people in health care settings. Community-associated MRSA happens to people who have close skin-to-skin contact with others, such as athletes involved in football and wrestling.

Infection control is key to stopping MRSA in hospitals. To prevent community-associated MRSA:

• Practice good hygiene
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed
• Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages
• Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels, washcloths, razors, or clothes
• Wash soiled sheets, towels, and clothes in hot water with bleach and dry in a hot dryer

If a wound appears to be infected, see a health care provider. Treatments may include draining the infection and antibiotics. If a wound appears to be infected, see a health care provider. Treatments may include draining the infection and antibiotics. Source: MedlinePlus 

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• Healthcare Settings

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

• MRSA and the Workplace 

Fact Sheets & Information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Factsheets & Posters

Patient Information

MedlinePlus

• MRSA

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