MRSA is a skin infection caused by the Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria, commonly known as “staph”

It can be present on our skin and in our noses and not cause an infection. MRSA therefore refers to a particular strain of staph which has become resistant to Penicillin-like antibiotics. So we call Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, MRSA.

If it is HA-MRSA, it means it was from a Hospital (or Hospital Acquired), Nursing Home or Kidney Dialysis Center. If it is from the community, it is called CA-MRSA (or Community Acquired).

MRSA can appear as a pimple or pus-filled lesion which is red and painful, or if it is HA-MRSA, it can be a more severe infection. Cultures tell us if it is MRSA and not another infection.

Treatment is drainage and local treatment and possibly antibiotics. Prevention is good hygiene, covering cuts and abrasions, and cleaning shared sites like desks and work-out equipment.