MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It causes a staph infection (pronounced “staff”) that is resistant to several common antibiotics. There are two types of infection. Hospital-associated MRSA happens to people in health care settings. Community-associated MRSA happens to people who have close skin-to-skin contact with others, such as athletes involved in football and wrestling.

Targeted infection control is key to stopping MRSA in hospitals and other health care facilities. To prevent community-associated MRSA:

Practice good hygiene
Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed
Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages
Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels, washcloths, razors or clothes
Wash soiled sheets, towels and clothes in hot water with bleach and dry in a hot dryer

If a wound appears to be infected, see a health care provider. Treatments may include draining the infection and treating with antibiotics.