HomeHealth TopicsInfectionsMRSA
Back to Infections
MRSA
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Infections

MRSA

MRSA is a staph infection resistant to several common antibiotics that can occur in both healthcare and community settings.

Overview

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It causes a staph infection that is resistant to several common antibiotics. There are two types of infection:

  • Hospital-associated MRSA: Happens to people in health care settings.
  • Community-associated MRSA: Happens to people who have close skin-to-skin contact with others, such as athletes involved in football and wrestling.

Prevention

Infection control is key to stopping MRSA in hospitals. To prevent community-associated MRSA, follow these steps:

  • Practice good hygiene.
  • Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
  • Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.
  • Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels, washcloths, razors, or clothes.
  • Wash soiled sheets, towels, and clothes in hot water with bleach and dry in a hot dryer.

Treatment

If a wound appears to be infected, see a health care provider. Treatments may include draining the infection and antibiotics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, you can return to work or school once you have started antibiotic treatment and your wounds are fully covered with clean, dry bandages that stay in place. You must ensure that the bandages do not leak or come off, as this can spread the bacteria. Avoid close skin-to-skin contact with others, such as in contact sports, until your healthcare provider confirms the infection has resolved.
Household members should wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after touching the infected person or their bandages. Do not share personal items like towels, razors, or clothing. Wash all linens, towels, and clothes from the infected person in hot water with bleach, and dry them on the hot setting. Keep the infected area covered at all times to prevent direct contact with others.
Look for a pimple or boil that is unusually painful, red, swollen, and warm to the touch. A key indicator is if the lesion grows rapidly or becomes larger despite home care. If you develop a fever, chills, or if the redness spreads significantly down the limb, seek immediate medical attention, as these signs suggest the infection may be spreading into the bloodstream.
For a localized skin infection, visible improvement usually occurs within 48 to 72 hours of starting appropriate antibiotics or after incision and drainage. If the wound is not healing, the pain is increasing, or you develop new symptoms after three days of treatment, contact your provider immediately. Do not stop antibiotics early, even if you feel better, to prevent the bacteria from becoming resistant to the medication.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

kontakt@hittavard.se

Ⓒ 2024. Alla rättigheter förbehålls av juxt ab

Sök
Om ossVillkor och policyVanliga frågorKontakta oss