MRSA Coalition
MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)
Some germs that commonly live on the skin and in the nose are called staphylococcus or “staph” bacteria. Usually, staph bacteria don’t cause any harm. However, sometimes they get inside the body through a break in the skin and cause an infection. These infections are usually treated with antibiotics. When common antibiotics don’t kill the staph bacteria, it means the bacteria have become resistant to those antibiotics. This type of staph is called MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus).
Anyone can get MRSA. Infections range from mild to very serious, even life-threatening. MRSA is contagious and can be spread to other people through skin-to-skin contact.
MRSA was first identified in the 1960’s and was mainly found in hospitals and nursing homes. This occurred because antibiotics were being given to people when they weren’t needed, and patients were not taking antibiotics as directed. MRSA infections that are acquired by persons who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are know as Community-Acquired MRSA or CA-MRSA infections.
Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people. In the late 1990’s, a new type of MRSA was identified. This type of MRSA is becoming more common among children and adults who do not have medical problems.
Memo to Campus Community regarding MRSA
Questions about MRSA 
What are some ways that you could get MRSA:
You may increase your chances of getting MRSA if:
How do I stop MRSA from spreading when I have an active infection?
Can I get a staph or MRSA infection at my health club?
What should I do if I think I have a staph or MRSA infection?
What are some ways that you could get MRSA:
- Touching the infected skin of someone who has MRSA
- Using personal items of someone who has MRSA, such as towels, wash cloths, clothes or athletic equipment
- Touching objects, such as public phones or doorknobs, that have MRSA bacteria on the surface
- Being in crowded places where germs are easily spread, such as hospitals, nursing homes, daycares or college dorms
You may increase your chances of getting MRSA if:
- You take antibiotics a lot
- You take antibiotics without a prescription
- You don’t follow directions when taking antibiotics. It is important to take all of the doses of your antibiotic even if the infection is getting better.
The last few pills kill the toughest germs. Tell your doctor if your infection does not get better in a few days
or if you begin to feel worse.
How do I stop MRSA from spreading when I have an active infection?
- Do not poke or squeeze the sores.
- Do not touch sores, especially ones that cannot be covered with a bandage or clothing, such as sores on your face. If you do touch a sore, wash your hands immediately.
- Cover any infected sores with a bandage. Wash your hands immediately after putting on the bandage.
- If you have a leaking sore, put extra dressings over it to keep the drainage from leaking through. Be careful not to get any pus or body fluids on surfaces or other people.
- Wear clothes that cover your bandages and sores, if possible.
- Be especially careful if you are around people who have weak immune systems, such as newborn babies, the elderly, or anyone with a chronic disease. If they get MRSA, it can make them very ill.
- Be careful if you are around someone who has a skin condition, such as eczema, or someone who just had surgery. They may be more likely to get an infection.
- Do not participate in contact sports until your sores have healed (sweating can cause a bandage to loosen and lead to contact with equipment and other people).
- Do not go to a public gym, sauna, hot tub or pool until sores have healed.
- Do not get manicures, massages or hair cuts until sores have healed.
How contagious am I?
- If you have an active MRSA infection on your skin, it is contagious. If someone touches your infections, or touches something that came in contact with your infections (like a towel), that person could get MRSA.
- If you are a MRSA carrier, you still have the bacteria on your skin and in your nose. If you don’t wash your hands properly, things that you use or touch with your hands can give the bacteria to other people. MRSA can also be found in the liquid that comes out of your nose or mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Remember, if you have MRSA it is possible to spread it to family, friends, other people close to you, and even to pets. Washing your hands and preventing others from coming in contact with your infections are the best ways to avoid spreading MRSA
Can I get a staph or MRSA infection at my health club?
In the outbreaks of MRSA, the environment has not played a significant role in the transmission of MRSA. MRSA is transmitted most frequently by direct skin-to-skin contact. You can protect yourself from infections by practicing good hygiene (e.g., keeping your hands clean by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub and showering after working out); covering any open skin area such as abrasions or cuts with a clean dry bandage; avoiding sharing personal items such as towels or razors; using a barrier (e.g., clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment; and wiping surfaces of equipment before and after use.
What does a staph or MRSA infection look like?
Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections.
What should I do if I think I have a staph or MRSA infection?
See your healthcare provider.
Handwashing
Plain soap is good at reducing bacterial counts but
antimicrobial soap is better, and alcohol-based handrubs are
the best.
- This graph shows that alcohol-based handrub is better than handwashing at killing bacteria.
- Shown across the top of this graph is the amount of time after disinfection with the hand hygiene agent.
- The left axis shows the percent reduction in bacterial counts.
- The three lines represent alcohol-based handrub, antimicrobial soap, and plain soap.
- Alcohol-based handrubs may be a better option than
traditional handwashing with plain soap and water or antiseptic
handwash because they require less time, act faster, and irritate hands less often
References & Links
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Athletic Trainers Association
Tacoma Pierce County Health Department