Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.

Wash sheets, towels, and clothes that become soiled with water and laundry detergent; use bleach and hot water if possible. Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes.

Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water.

Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothes, or uniforms.

Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.

f you have a skin infection that requires treatment, ask your healthcare provider if you should be tested for MRSA.

Healthcare providers are fighting back against MRSA infection by tracking bacterial outbreaks and by investing in products, such as antibiotic-coated catheters and gloves that release disinfectants.

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.

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.