MRSA infection

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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA); Hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA)

Careful attention to personal hygiene is key to avoiding MRSA infections. Wash your hands frequently, especially if visiting someone in a hospital or long-term care facility. Do not share personal items such as towels or razors with another person -- MRSA can be transmitted through contaminated items. Cover all wounds with a clean bandage, and avoid contact with other people’s soiled bandages. If you share sporting equipment, clean it first with antiseptic solution.

Braunwald E, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, et al., eds. Hyponatremia. In Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 15th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2001:896-99.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CA-MRSA Information for Clinicians. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_clinicians.html. Accessed October 27, 2005.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa.html. Accessed October 27, 2005.

Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Available at: http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/biol_hazards/methicillin.html. Accessed October 27, 2005.

Review Date: 11/09/2005
Reviewed By: Kenneth Wener, M.D., Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.