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Is a MRSA Infection Contagious?

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a strain of staph, is a highly antibiotic-resistant super bacterium. It spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact and exposure of an open sore to contaminants.

  1. MRSA in Hospitals

    • MRSA appeared in hospitals in 1961 as another form of staph infection. It continues to mutate, quickly making itself resistant to antibiotics. Eighty-five percent of MRSA cases occur in a medical setting.

    MRSA in the Community

    • Catching MRSA in the community used to be rare and was limited to intravenous drug users. However, since the first community-based case appeared in 1997, it has become more prevalent.

    Prevention

    • The best way to prevent MRSA is to effectively wash hands for at least 15 seconds; do not share personal items like razors, toothbrushes or clothing; keep wounds covered; maintain cleanliness; get possible infections tested; and use antibiotics as prescribed.

    Signs

    • Closely watch any open cut, pimple, insect bites or scrapes for redness, swelling, pain and drainage. These can be signs of infection.

    When to See a Doctor

    • If signs of infection appear, have your doctor test the infected area for a staph infection. If the staph test culture results are positive, the doctor should test for MRSA, since MRSA requires a different antibiotic.

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