Methicillan Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is a bacteria commonly found in healthy areas of the human body (specifically the skin or nose). MRSA has a reputation of resistance against many of the antibiotics once used to treat it, which has given MRSA the "Superbug" nickname. Since staph is common on the skin and in the nose, it's able to spread easily to the rest of the body or even to others.
Outside of the body, staph is rather harmless but once the bacteria enters it can become a more serious problem. If staph enters the body through a cut or abrasion and gets into the bloodstream then it can cause detrimental infections. These infections range anywhere from a painful pimple or boil to blood poisoning to abscesses on organs like the brain and heart.
Since staph can turn into other serious infections, it's important to know how it's transferred and ways to prevent it. All forms of staph are spread by skin-to-skin contact, poor personal hygiene and improper disinfection. MRSA most commonly related with sports teams is deemed "community associated" since the bacteria is usually spread through personal contact, shared towels, soaps, equipment, pads, surfaces, etc.
The following is a list of preventative measures to eliminate harmful staph:
• Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and warm water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Shower immediately following activity
• Avoid sharing towels, razors and athletic gear
• Maintain clean facilities and equipment
• Care and cover skin lesions before activity
