What is MRSA?

• MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
• It is a strain of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (“staph”) that are resistant to many antibiotics.
• There are still antibiotics available to treat MRSA.
• It is important to identify the type of staph infection one may have so that the correct antibiotics are prescribed.
• Remember that staphylococcus (staph) bacteria, including MRSA, have been and remain a common cause of skin infections.

What is a staph skin infection?

• Staph bacteria are commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people.
• Most of the time staph carried in the nose or on the skin does not cause infection and when it does, it usually causes minor infections, such as pimples, boils or abscesses.
• Most of these skin infections are minor and can be treated without antibiotics.

What type of infections does MRSA cause?

• In the community most MRSA infections are skin infections that may appear as pustules or boils which often are red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage.
• These skin infections commonly occur at sites of visible skin trauma, such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair (e.g., back of neck, groin, buttock, armpit, beard area of men).
• Staph bacteria also can cause serious infections such as pneumonia, joint and bloodstream infections. Resistant strains of staph need to be identified and treated before they lead to serious complications and spread to others.

How is MRSA transmitted?

• MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's infection (e.g., towels, used bandages).

In what settings do MRSA skin infections occur?

• MRSA skin infections can occur anywhere.
• Some settings have factors that make it easier for MRSA to be transmitted.
o These factors, referred to as the 5 C's, are as follows: Crowding, frequent skin-to-skin Contact, Compromised skin (i.e., cuts or abrasions), Contaminated items and surfaces, and lack of Cleanliness.
o Locations where the 5 C's are common include schools, dormitories, military barracks, households, correctional facilities, and daycare centers.

How do I protect myself from getting MRSA?

• You can protect yourself by:
o practicing good hygiene (e.g., keeping your hands clean by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and showering immediately after participating in exercise);
o covering skin trauma such as abrasions or cuts with a clean dry bandage until healed;
o avoiding sharing personal items (e.g., towels, razors) that come into contact with your bare skin; and using a barrier (e.g., clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment such as weight-training benches;
o maintaining a clean environment by establishing cleaning procedures for frequently touched surfaces and surfaces that come into direct contact with people's skin.
• If you suspect you may have MRSA, seek medical care.
o The only way to confirm MRSA infection is through laboratory testing.
o Do not “pick at” or attempt to drain the pimple/boil on your own! This could increase the risk of spread to others and delay confirmatory testing.

I have an MRSA skin infection. How do I prevent spreading it to others?

• Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages until healed. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions on proper care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph, including MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others. Bandages and tape can be discarded with the regular trash.
• Clean your hands frequently. You, your family, and others in close contact should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected wound.
• Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms that may have had contact with the infected wound or bandage. Wash sheets, towels, and clothes that become soiled with water and laundry detergent. Use a dryer to dry clothes completely.