Staph/MRSA Skin Infections:  Questions and Answers 

Overview:

Drug sensitive Staph bacteria are commonly found on the skin of healthy persons.  In recent years, people have been getting skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (“Staph”) bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics (Drugs that kill bacteria), also called Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus – “MRSA.”  Staph, including MRSA, can be a part of the bacteria that normally resides in or on humans and do not usually cause infection.  When bacteria are living on or in the human body, but are not causing infection, it is called “colonization.”  Humans are most often colonized with staph in the nose; it is also found on the skin and other body sites. 

What is a Staph/MRSA skin infection?

It can be a pimple, rash, boil or open wound.  Staph/MRSA is often misdiagnosed as spider bites,  Symptoms of Staph/MRSA infection include redness, warmth, swelling, pus, tenderness of the skin, pimples, boils, or blisters.  Staph/MRSA infected skin lesions may progress quickly from a skin or surface irritation to an abscess or serious skin infections.  If left untreated, Staph/MRSA can infect blood and bones. 

How do Staph/MRSA skin infections spread?

Staph/MRSA lives on skin and survives on objects for 24 hours or more. The cleanest person can get a Staph/MRSA infection.  Staph/MRSA can rub off the skin of an infected person onto the skin of another person during skin-to-skin contact.  Or, the Staph/MRSA can come off the infected skin of a person onto a shared object or surface, and get into the skin or the next person who uses it.  Examples of commonly shared objects include towels, soap, benches in hot tubs, and athletic equipment – in other words, anything that could have touched the skin of a Staph/MRSA infected person can carry the bacteria to the skin of another person.  MRSA skin infections are not spread by coughing or sneezing.

 How do I protect myself from getting MRSA?

	Practice good hand hygiene. Keep your hands clean by frequently washing with warm soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
	Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a clean, dry bandage until healed.
	Avoid sharing personal items that come into contact with your bare skin.
	Clean objects that you share with other persons, such as athletic equipment, before you use it.

What should I do if I think I have a skin infection?

Consult your doctor or healthcare provider if you think you have a skin infection.  Early treatment can help prevent the infection from getting worse.  If you are prescribed antibiotics, be sure to take all of your pills.  Be sure to follow directions from your healthcare provider closely, even when you start to feel better.