MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It causes a staph infection (pronounced "staff infection") that is resistant to several common antibiotics. There are two types of infection. Hospital-associated MRSA happens to people in healthcare settings. Community-associated MRSA happens to people who have close skin-to-skin contact with others, such as athletes involved in football and wrestling.

• Practice good hygiene

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

• Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages

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

• Wash soiled sheets, towels, and clothes in hot water with bleach and dry in a hot dryer

(1) Definition

(2) Symptoms

(3) Prevention in Healthcare Settings

(4) Precautions to Prevent the Spread of MRSA in Healthcare Settings

MRSA and the Workplace

MRSA Portion of Hospital eTool

(1) If you only have five minutes to think about this issue, check out "Get Smart: Know when antibiotics work".

(2) Live Experiment Shows That MRSA Dies on Antimicrobial Copper Surfaces

(3) Video from Dr. John Jernigan, MRSA expert from CDC

(1) Photos of MRSA Skin Infections from CDC

(2) Additional Images (Note: Search MRSA)

(1) Educational Materials from CDC for Healthcare Professionals

(2) Environmental Cleaning & Disinfecting for MRSA

FDA