The goal of the National MRSA Education Initiative is to help Americans better recognize and prevent MRSA skin infections.
Why is this important? Recent data show that Americans visit the doctor approximately 12 million times each year to get checked for suspected Staph or MRSA skin infection.
The good news is that a few simple steps can prevent and reduce the spread of MRSA.
About MRSA
MRSA is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a potentially dangerous type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics and may cause skin and other infections. You can get MRSA through direct contact with an infected person or by sharing personal items, such as towels or razors that have touched infected skin.
If you or someone in your family experiences these signs and symptoms, cover the area with a bandage and contact your healthcare professional. It is especially important to contact your healthcare professional if signs and symptoms of an MRSA skin infection are accompanied by a fever.
What are the signs and symptoms of MRSA skin infections? Most staph skin infections, including MRSA, appear as a bump or infected area on the skin that may be:
- Red
- Swollen
- Painful
- Warm to the touch
- Full of pus or other drainage
- Accompanied by a fever
- Page last reviewed: Sept 8, 2008
- Page last updated: Dec 3, 2008
- Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases (NCPDCID),
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP)
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National MRSA Education Initiative
1600 Clifton Rd,
MS A35
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348
24 Hours/Every Day - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
National MRSA Education Initiative Campaign Materials
Educational materials can be downloaded and printed free of charge. Also, limited quantities of printed materials can be ordered by visiting CDC INFO
