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Staphlococcus aureus (Staph) is a type of bacteria that may
cause skin infections like boils or pimples. Staph is often
found on our hands, and in our nose as well as other areas
of the body. Infections of the skin caused by Staph are
often red, swollen, and tender and may have some drainage.
Most of the time a Staph causes an infection that is minor
or doesn’t cause any problem. Some Staph are resistant to
the antibiotic methicillin and related antibiotics and are
called MRSA or Methicillin-resistant Staphlococcus aureus.
Skin infections like MRSA can be spread through close
skin-to-skin contact, wounds of the skin like cuts and
abrasions, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living
conditions and poor hygiene.
There are things you can do to
prevent MRSA:
- Follow good personal hygiene practices. Wash
your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap
and water or use an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer.
- Take showers regularly.
- Do not share personal items such as towels,
razors, or personal clothing.
- Cover cuts, sores and scrapes with a bandage
until healed.
- Avoid contact with other people’s cuts,
sores or bandages.
- Use a barrier (e.g., clothing or a towel)
between your skin and shared surfaces like gym
equipment, locker room benches
- Wipe surfaces in frequent contact with hands
or bare skin with a disinfectant before and
after use.
If you have an infection that will not heal or
gets worse contact your health care provider.
Information for Schools
For more information on Methcillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infections and Schools, see
MRSA Infections and Schools
[PDF]
(Information provided by Dr. Yu)
Information for
Workplace
- For more information on Methcillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infections and the
Workplace,
see MRSA Infections and the Workplace
[PDF]
(Information provided by Dr. Yu)
- For more information on Methcillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infections for employees,
see
Workplace for Employees
[PDF] Information provided by Dr. Yu)
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