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Bucks County Health Department

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Important Information about MRSA

What is MRSA:

Methicillin-reistant Staphylococcus aureus is a type of Staph Bacteria (staphylococcus aureus)
that is resistant to antibiotics called beta-lactams. Beta-lactam antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. While 25% to 30% of the population is colonized with Staph, approximately 1% is colonized with MRSA.

Staph infections, including MRSA, are most commonly found in hospitals, and health care facilities,in people with weakened immune systems, but can also be acquired by persons who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters)and those are known as 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.

Staph bacteria, including MRSA, usually can cause skin infections, which will be red, swollen, and painful. However, it can also be more serious, and the bacteria can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections.

The community at increased risk for CA-MRSA, according to the Centers for Disease Control are:

• athletes
• military recruits
• children
• Pacific Islanders
• Alaskan Natives
• Native Americans
• men who have sex with men
• and prisoners

Factors that have been associated with the spread of MRSA skin infections include: close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, and poor hygiene.

To help prevent the spread of MRSA:

Practice Good Hygiene

a.  Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
b.  Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
c.   Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
d.   Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.

Most Staph and MRSA infections are treatable with good wound care, and if necessary antibiotics. If you think you have an infection, see your healthcare providers.

For more information on MRSA, go to:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-MRSA Facts

CDC- MRSA FAQ's

Pennsylvania Department of Health

Recommendations on Children with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in School Settings (PDF)  

Management of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Infections (PDF)  

PA DOH News Release about MRSA