infection can occur when these get inside the body through a cut, sore, catheter or breathing tube

range from minor – such as a pimple – to serious, involving the heart, lungs, blood stream or bones.

reddened areas on the skin.

Use standard infection control precautions for all patients in outpatient and inpatient healthcare settings.

Intact healthy skin is a natural barrier for infection. Therefore, preexisting cuts, abrasions or other irritated areas can contribute to skin infections, as bacteria find an entry point in the broken skin.

Enforce strict compliance with hand hygiene.

health care providers should be alert to any cluster or outbreak of skin infections

Performing hand hygiene (handwashing or using alcohol-based hand gel) after touching body fluids or contaminated items (whether or not gloves are worn), between patients and when moving from a contaminated body site to a clean site on the same patients. Wearing gloves when managing wounds. Wearing gowns and eye protection as appropriate for procedures that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of body fluids. Using contact precautions for patients with abscesses or draining wounds in which wound drainage cannot be contained.

Carefully dispose of dressings and other materials that come into contact with pus, nasal discharge, blood, and urine.

Clean examination room surfaces and patient rooms with an EPA-registered hospital detergent/disinfectant

Use contact precautions for patients in acute care inpatient settings known or suspected to be infected or colonized with MRSA

Greater spatial separation of patients (through placing infected patients in private rooms or cohorting patients with similar infection status), Use gown and gloves for all contact with the patient or their environment, and Use dedicated non-critical patient-care equipment.

Not pick, scratch, or squeeze pimples or boils.

Keep wounds covered, particularly those skin infections that produce pus. Carefully dispose of soiled dressings/bandages. Heavily soiled bandages or dressings should be placed in a plastic bag before discarding into the trash. If not heavily soiled, they may be placed directly into the trash. Refrain from sports or other activities that involve close contact if the patient cannot maintain adequate hygiene and keep wounds covered with clean, dry bandages during activity. Wash clothes, towels, sheets, uniforms, etc. and any other soiled items using hot water, laundry detergent and dry on the hottest cycle after each use. Pre-wash or rinse any item that has been contaminated with body fluids.