MRSA

Summary

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.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Related Issues

• Abscess VisualDX

Specifics

• Antimicrobial Resistance Threats National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• General Information about MRSA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• General Information about MRSA in Healthcare Settings Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Infections Unlikely to be Spread Through Swimming Pools Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• MRSA and the Workplace National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Preventing the Spread of MRSA in Healthcare Settings Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Seasonal Flu and Staph Infection Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Find an Expert

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Cleaning and Disinfection for MRSA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• MRSA Prevention Information and Advice for Athletes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus National Institutes of Health

Patient Handouts

• MRSA Medical Encyclopedia
• Staph infections in the hospital Medical Encyclopedia

Teenagers

• MRSA Nemours Foundation

Start Here

• MRSA VisualDX
• MRSA Infection Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Children

• MRSA (For Parents) Nemours Foundation

Diagnosis and Tests

• MRSA Tests National Library of Medicine
• Nasal Swab National Library of Medicine

Images

• Photos of MRSA Infections Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Journal Articles

• MRSA

Women

• Staphylococcus aureus and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists