do not have signs of infection can spread the bacteria to others and potentially cause an infection.

only way to know if MRSA is the cause of an infection is to perform a laboratory culture of the bacteria.

Studies show that about one in three (33%) people carry staph in their nose, usually without any illness.

Two in 100 people carry MRSA.

MRSA infections in healthcare settings are declining.

hospitals declined 54% between 2005 and 2011, with 30,800 fewer severe MRSA infections. In addition, the study showed 9,000 fewer deaths in hospital patients in 2011 versus 2005.

Numerous studies and reports show that when healthcare providers follow CDC guidelines, MRSA infections can largely – if not completely – be prevented.

Many public health experts are alarmed by the spread of tough strains of MRSA. Because it's hard to treat, MRSA is sometimes called a "super bug."

can appear around surgical wounds or invasive devices, like catheters or implanted feeding tubes.

Less often, staph can cause serious problems like infected wounds or pneumonia.

now resistant to methicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin, oxacillin, and many other antibiotics.

because it's resistant to some commonly used antibiotics.