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A MINUTE OF HEALTH WITH CDC
Dealing With Drug Resistant Bugs
Severe Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Community-Acquired
Pneumonia Associated with Influenza
April 27, 2007

This program is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC – safer, healthier people.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria is difficult to treat and can be deadly. The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus can develop resistance to antibiotics. These strains are called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. It usually affects hospitalized patients, but is becoming common in communities. It often causes skin infections resembling a pimple or boil and can also cause pneumonia. These infections often affect young, healthy people, and can be fatal.

If you have open cuts or skin-to-skin contact with others, or live in crowded housing, you’re at higher risk for an MRSA skin infection. To protect yourself, wash your hands often, cover cuts, and avoid sharing towels and razors.

Thank you for joining us on A Minute of Health with CDC.

To access the most accurate and relevant health information that affects you, your family and your community, please visit www.cdc.gov.