How can I protect myself from community-associated MRSA infections? Good hygiene is your best protection against community-associated MRSA infections. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Shower after any athletic activities or workouts. Cover any open skin such as cuts or abrasions with a clean, dry bandage. Do not share personal items such as razors or towels. At the gym, wipe down any shared equipment before and after you use it. Place a barrier such as clothing or a clean towel between your skin and any shared equipment you use. If you contract an infection of any kind, follow your health care provider instructions carefully to prevent the spread of your illness. Keep wounds covered with clean, dry bandages when they are pus-filled or draining. Discard used bandages and tape in a wastebasket, then wash your hands thoroughly. Follow your health care provider’s instructions on wound care. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Make sure your family and those in close contact with you also wash their hands frequently and thoroughly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors or clothing that may have had contact with the infection site or the bandages. Wash your sheets, towels and any other fabrics with water and laundry detergent. Drying clothes in a hot dryer helps kills microorganisms in clothes. Air drying them does not (unless they are in direct sunlight). Tell any health care provider who treats you that you have or have had a staph or MRSA infection.