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MRSA
General

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How are MRSA infections spread?
A collage of five pictures of different people performing various jobsAnyone can get a MRSA infection. People are more likely to get a MRSA infection if they have:
  • Skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a MRSA infection
  • Contact with items and surfaces that have MRSA on them
  • Openings in their skin such as cuts or scrapes
  • Crowded living conditions
  • Poor personal hygiene or a lack of cleanliness
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How serious are MRSA infections?

MRSA skin infection on the right side of a man's faceMost MRSA skin infections are minor and may be easily treated. Staph also may cause more serious infections, such as infections of the bloodstream, surgical site, or pneumonia. Sometimes, a staph infection that starts as a skin infection may worsen. It is important to contact your healthcare provider if your infection does not get better.


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How are MRSA infections treated?
Pills resting in the right palmTreatment for a MRSA skin infection may include taking an antibiotic or having a doctor drain the infection. If you are given an antibiotic, be sure to take all of the doses, even if the infection is getting better, unless your doctor tells you to stop taking it. Do not share antibiotics with other people or save them to use later. It is very important to complete the entire course of treatment! If after visiting your healthcare provider the infection is not getting better after a few days, contact them again.

If other people you know or live with get the same infection, tell them to go to their healthcare provider.
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Need more information?
Nurse with patientIf you have any questions about your condition, please ask your healthcare provider. More information can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) MRSA Infections and the Diagnosis and Testing of MRSA Infections pages on the CDC/NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Safety and Health Topic page: MRSA and the Workplace or Antimicrobial (Drug) Resistance at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Web page.

Also, view the complete CDC patient information sheet [206 KB PDF, 1 page].

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