A staph infection is an infection caused by bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus. While there are more than thirty species of staph, one called Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for most of the infections that cause harm in humans. Many healthy people have S. aureus on the surface of their skin, inside their nose, or in their throat. It’s when these bacteria penetrate into deeper layers of the body that an infection can occur.

Staph infections can take several forms ranging from simple skin boils to flesh-eating infections to blood poisoning. The most common type of infection, cellulitis, affects the skin’s deeper layers. It might begin as a small area of inflammation causing tenderness, swelling, or redness on the skin’s surface, or as an open sore or skin ulcer. This type of infection is usually treatable with antibiotics. However, in recent years antibiotic resistant strains of S. aureushave become more common.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a form of S. aureus that cannot be treated with common antibiotics, is now a common cause of serious infection. MRSA can be treated effectively with antibiotics but it requires the use of less common and more toxic drugs such as vancomycin

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health care-associated infections account for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths each year in American hospitals.

However, MRSA infections contracted outside of hospitals, called community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) are becoming more common. The most serious cases of CA-MRSA infection cause a “flesh eating” disease known as necrotizing fasciitis. Such infections must be treated by administering intravenous antibiotics and may require surgery to remove portions of the body infected with MRSA bacteria.

MRSA infections spread through close association such as skin-to-skin contact, contact with skin wounds and through contact with contaminated items, where staph bacteria can live for 24 hours or more. In some cases, staph bacteria can enter healthy, intact skin. The best way to reduce your chance of contracting a MRSA infection is to practice good hygiene, including these tips:

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Care for wounds such as cuts and abrasions by cleaning them thoroughly and keeping them covered by a bandage. Bandages should be disposed of properly.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, cosmetics, clothing, and bars of soap.
• Wipe down exercise equipment between users.