How to Stop Spreading Staph

Staph infections, especially those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, are highly contagious, and it's important to understand the steps that need to be taken to prevent the spread of this troublesome infection. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are two types of staph: one type is spread within the health-care system, and the other is spread through the community, typically through contact sports or other close personal contact. Whichever type of staph you have, the same steps are used to prevent spreading the infection.

Instructions

• 1

  Ask your doctor to conduct a test for MRSA if you have an infection that you suspect may be staph. This will allow her to prescribe the proper medication and treatment to prevent the staph from spreading.

• 2

  Take your staph medication according to the prescription instructions, even if the infection appears to be gone before the medication runs out.

• 3

  Cover any wound or abrasion promptly, so the staph germs cannot enter through the broken skin.

• 4

  Scrub your hands thoroughly and often, and use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available.

• 5

  Avoid sharing personal items such as clothing, pillows, sheets, towels and razors, even if you don't think the person you're sharing with has staph themselves.

• 6

  Shower immediately after athletics, using hot water and soap and a clean towel. If you have an open wound that appears infected, avoid contactl sports until the wound is healed.

• 7

  Sanitize clothing and linens that may have touched a staph-infected wound by washing them in hot water (with bleach, if possible) and drying them in the hottest dryer setting allowed.