MRSA can develop in surgical wounds or sores.

You can get MRSA by touching someone with infected skin or an infected wound.

MRSA can spread through medical equipment like catheters and needles. You can also get it from everyday items such as towels, utensils, razors or bed sheets.

MRSA can enter your bloodstream through shared needles when injecting drugs. People who inject drugs are 16 times more likely to contract MRSA.

People who have been hospitalized, had surgery or stayed for prolonged periods in nursing or rehabilitation facilities are more likely to get MRSA.

People discharged from the hospital with catheters or other access lines for medical treatments, such as dialysis or chemotherapy, are at a higher risk for MRSA.

Workers who come into contact with groups of people or animals, such as military personnel, teachers, daycare workers, healthcare employees and livestock workers, are at increased risk for MRSA.

Athletes who play sports with heavy physical contact, such as football and wrestling, are at risk. You can also get MRSA from locker rooms and shared sports equipment.

People who have lower immune systems due to older age or conditions such as HIV or leukemia are more susceptible to MRSA.

High doses of oral or intravenous antibiotics may be effective for MRSA. However, your provider will choose the antibiotics carefully – the wrong medication can further increase the bacteria’s antibiotic resistance. We may also recommend antibiotics if you have pneumonia, endocarditis or osteomyelitis.

In some cases, we make a cut in your skin at the site of the infection. We drain infected pus from the area and cover the wound with a bandage. Drainage from the wound is infectious, so it is very important to keep the incision covered at all times.

Debridement is a procedure that removes damaged or dead tissue from your body. We may need to do debridement if MRSA is deep inside your body. Some people need multiple debridement procedures over the course of several weeks or months.

Avoid sharing razors, towels, bed sheets and other items that could be contaminated with MRSA.

Clean and cover scrapes, cuts or other wounds with clean bandages until they have healed.

Healthcare workers should take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of MRSA by wearing gloves, gowns and masks when appropriate.

Clean your hands often using soap, water and alcohol-based sanitizer.