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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by a strain of staph bacteria that's become resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat ordinary staph infections. Most MRSA infections occur in people who've been in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers. When it occurs in these settings, it's known as health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). HA-MRSA infections typically are associated with invasive procedures or devices, such as surgeries, intravenous tubing or artificial joints. Another type of MRSA infection has occurred in the wider community — among healthy people. This form, community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA), often begins as a painful skin boil. It's spread by skin-to-skin contact. At-risk populations include groups such as high school wrestlers, child care workers and people who live in crowded conditions.

strain of staph bacteria that's become resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat ordinary staph infections.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by a strain of staph bacteria that's become resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat ordinary staph infections.

Most MRSA infections occur in people who've been in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers. When it occurs in these settings, it's known as health care-associated MRSA

Most MRSA infections occur in people who've been in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers. When it occurs in these settings, it's known as health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). HA-MRSA infections typically are associated with invasive procedures or devices, such as surgeries, intravenous tubing or artificial joints.

Most MRSA infections occur in people who've been in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by a strain of staph bacteria that's become resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat ordinary staph infections.

MRSA that occur in nonhospital settings.

An MRSA skin infection looks like a boil, pimple or spider bite that may be: Red Swollen Painful Pus-filled and oozing

Back of the neck Groin Buttock Armpit Beard area on men

Skin-to-skin contact

Touching contaminated objects.

Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal.

Keep wounds covered.

The pus from infected sores may contain MRSA, and keeping wounds covered will help keep the bacteria from spreading.

Keep personal items personal.

towels, sheets, razors, clothing and athletic equipment.

MRSA spreads on contaminated objects as well as through direct contact.

Shower after athletic games or practices.

Shower immediately after each game or practice.

Sanitize linens.

If you have a cut or sore, wash towels and bed linens in a washing machine set to the hottest water setting (with added bleach, if possible) and dry them in a hot dryer.

Scrub hands briskly for at least 15 seconds, then dry them with a disposable towel and use another towel to turn off the faucet.

Wash your hands

Sanitize linens.

Wash gym and athletic clothes after each wearing.

HA-MRSA is acquired in the hospital setting and is one of many hospital-acquired infections exhibiting increased antimicrobial resistance

increased during the past decade due to a number of factors including an increased number of immunocompromised and elderly patients; an increase in the number of invasive procedures, e.g., advanced surgical operations and life support treatments; and failures in infection control measures such as hand washing prior to patient contact and removal of non-essential catheters.

CA-MRSA is caused by newly emerging strains unlike those responsible for HA-MRSA and can cause infections in otherwise healthy persons with no links to healthcare systems.

typically occur as skin or soft tissue infections, but can develop into more invasive, life-threatening infections.

occurring with increasing frequency in the United States

tends to occur in conditions where people are in close physical contact, such as athletes involved in football and wrestling, soldiers kept in close quarters, inmates, childcare workers, and residents of long-term care facilities.

During the past four decades, a type of bacteria has evolved from a controllable nuisance into a serious public health concern.

HA-MRSA has increased during the past decade due to a number of factors including an increased number of immunocompromised and elderly patients; an increase in the number of invasive procedures, e.g., advanced surgical operations and life support treatments; and failures in infection control measures such as hand washing prior to patient contact and removal of non-essential catheters.

Garden-variety staph are common bacteria that can live in our bodies.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body. It's tougher to treat than most strains of staphylococcus aureus -- or staph -- because it's resistant to some commonly used antibiotics.

MRSA infections are common among people who have weak immune systems and are in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care centers. Infections can appear around surgical wounds or invasive devices, like catheters or implanted feeding tubes. 

(MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body. It's tougher to treat than most strains of staphylococcus aureus -- or staph -- because it's resistant to some commonly used antibiotics.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body. It's tougher to treat than most strains of staphylococcus aureus -- or staph -- because it's resistant to some commonly used antibiotics.

some antibiotics still work,

methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA),

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body

it causes mild infections on the skin, like sores or boils. But it can also cause more serious skin infections or infect surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs, or the urinary tract.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body. It's tougher to treat than most strains of staphylococcus aureus -- or staph -- because it's resistant to some commonly used antibiotics.

Hospital care — Risk factors for becoming infected with hospital-associated MRSA include the following:●Having a surgical wound and/or intravenous (IV) line●Being hospitalized for a prolonged period of time●Recent use of antibiotics●Having a weakened immune system due to a medical condition or its treatment●Being in close proximity to other patients or healthcare workers who are colonized with MRSA

The skin may have a single raised red lump that is tender, a cluster of "pimples", or a large tender lump that drains pus (called a carbuncle). The area may enlarge and become progressively more tender, red, and swollen. The center of the raised area may ooze pus.

People with infections of the lung, bone, joint, or other internal areas usually require blood tests as well as imaging studies (eg, x-ray, computed tomography [CT] scan, echocardiogram).

Prevention in the hospital — In the hospital, MRSA is commonly spread to patients from the hands of healthcare workers. To minimize this risk, patients and family members can help to ensure that anyone who comes in contact with the patient washes their hands or uses an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after touching the patient. Patients with active infection should also wash their hands frequently.

Prevention in the community — The best way to prevent and control MRSA in the community is not clear. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made the following recommendations [4]:●Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water. Hands should be wet with water and plain soap and be rubbed together for 15 to 30 seconds. Special attention should be paid to the fingernails, between the fingers, and the wrists. Hands should be rinsed thoroughly and dried with a single-use towel (eg, paper towels).●Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a good alternative for disinfecting hands if a sink is not available. Hand sanitizers should be rubbed over the entire surface of hands, fingers, and wrists until dry and may be used several times. Hand sanitizers are available as a liquid or wipe in small, portable sizes that are easy to carry in a pocket or handbag. When a sink is available, visibly soiled hands should be washed with soap and water.●Keep cuts and scrapes clean, dry, and covered with a bandage until healed.●Avoid touching other people's wounds or bandages.●Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms. Other items that should not be shared include brushes, combs, and makeup.●Students who participate in team sports should shower after every athletic activity using soap and clean towels. Athletes with skin infections should receive prompt treatment and should not compete when they have draining or active skin infections.●People who use exercise machines at sports clubs or schools should be sure to wipe down the equipment, including the hand grips, with an alcohol-based solution after using it.

start as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. These can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. Sometimes the bacteria remain confined to the skin.

Keep an eye on minor skin problems — pimples, insect bites, cuts and scrapes — especially in children. If wounds become infected, see your doctor. Do not attempt to treat an MRSA infection yourself. You could worsen it or spread it to others.

This type of staph infection, known as community-acquired, or community-associated, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), can be carried by healthy adults and children who do not have any symptoms.

Factors that facilitate transmission include crowded environments, frequent skin-to-skin contact, compromised skin, contaminated surfaces, shared items, and poor hygiene

Physical Therapy

Persons with skin infections should keep wounds covered, wash hands frequently (always after touching infected skin or changing dressings), dispose of used bandages in trash, and avoid sharing personal items. Individuals with skin infections should avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas until the infection is resolved.

The best defense to an infection is good hygiene

Do not share food, drink, clothes, towels, soap, combs, brushes, and other personal care items. Dry using a clean, dry towel and do not share towels

Use a plastic bag or impervious container for transporting sporting goods and laundry home for cleaning

Only those individuals who are unable to keep infected skin covered with a clean, dry bandage and maintain good personal hygiene should stop participating in classes, work, sports activities, etc. In general, it is not necessary to close facilities to disinfect them when MRSA infections occur.