Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that are resistant to certain antibiotics. When bacteria are resistant, it means that they can't be killed by common antibiotics.
Many people have bacteria that don't cause any harm while they are on the skin outside the body. However, sometimes these bacteria get inside the body through a break in the skin and cause an infection. Infections caused by resistant bacteria, like MRSA, are more difficult to treat. They can also be very serious, especially if they are not treated properly or happen in deeper areas of the body like the lungs.
MRSA Publications
- Living With MRSA (PDF)
- Moving To a Hospital or Skilled Nursing Facility: What to Expect When You Have MRSA (PDF) - booklet (English)
- ¿Cómo vivir con MRSA? -Spanish (PDF)
School Resources
- Prevention of MRSA Infections in Schools - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Workplace Resources
- MRSA Infection and the Workplace - Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department
MRSA Resources for Health Professionals
- Management of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in Healthcare Settings, 2006 (PDF) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention