Staph/MRSA Information

 

 

Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph," are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Sometimes, staph can cause an infection. Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. Most of these skin infections are minor (such as pimples and boils). Sometimes they can be treated without antibiotics. However, staph also can cause serious infections (such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia) do require antibiotic therapy.

 

 

Some staph bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to several common antibiotics. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin. There are two types of infection. Hospital-associated MRSA happens to people in healthcare settings. Community-associated MRSA happens to people who have close skin-to-skin contact with others, such as athletes.

 

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