MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria.
Many people have staph bacteria living on their skin or in their noses without it causing any problems. If staph bacteria get into a person's body through a cut, scrape, or rash, they can cause minor skin infections. Most of these heal on their own if a person keeps the wound clean and bandaged.
MRSA (say: MUR-suh) is different from other staph bacteria because it has become resistant to most of the antibiotics doctors use to treat staph infections. Methicillin is a type of antibiotic, so these bacteria are called "methicillin-resistant."
MRSA skin infections often develop around open sores, like cuts, scrapes, or bites. But they also can affect intact skin. Red, swollen, painful bumps appear that sometimes ooze fluid or pus (called an abscess). Some people also get a fever.
MRSA is contagious. Like all other staph bacteria, it can spread:
In the past, MRSA mostly affected people in nursing homes or hospitals. It was more likely to be seen in people with weak immune systems. It was also more common in people who had a surgical wound. But now some otherwise healthy people outside of those settings are getting the infection.
Sometimes, people can be "carriers" of MRSA. This means that the bacteria stay on or in their bodies for days, weeks, or even years without causing symptoms. But they can spread it to others. That's why washing hands well and often is so important.
A doctor will examine the affected skin, and sometimes will take a sample of pus or blood. This goes to a lab for testing to find out which bacteria are causing the infection.
Treatment depends on what the infection looks like:
These simple steps can help prevent MRSA infections:
Call the doctor if:
Serious cases of MRSA are still rare. By taking these easy prevention steps, you can help keep it that way!
Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date Reviewed: Oct 1, 2019