Medaille College News

Due to the recent news coverage about MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), the Health Center has provided the following information on antibiotic-resistant staph infections. For additional information, please contact Marsha Glose at mglose@medaille.edu.

What is Staphylococcus? Staph is a type of bacteria. It may cause skin infections that look like pimples or boils. Sometimes it is mistaken for a spider bite. Skin infections caused by Staph may be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. Some Staph (known as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA) are resistant to certain antibiotics, making it harder to treat.

Who can get a staph infection?Anyone can get a Staph infection. People are more likely to get a Staph infection if they have skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a Staph infection, contact with items and surfaces that have Staph on them, openings in their skin such as cuts or scrapes, crowded living conditions, or poor hygiene.

How serious are infections? Most Staph skin infections are minor and may be easily treated. Staph also may cause more serious infections, such as infections of the bloodstream, surgical sites, or pneumonia. Sometimes, a Staph infection that starts as a skin infection may worsen. It is important to contact your doctor if your infection does not get better.

How infections treated? Treatment for a Staph skin infection may include taking an antibiotic or having a doctor drain the infection. If you are given an antibiotic, be sure to take all of the doses, even if the infection is getting better, unless your doctor tells you to stop taking it. Do not share antibiotics with other people or save them to use later.

How do I keep staph infections from spreading?

• Wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Keep your cuts and scrapes clean and cover them with bandages
• Do not touch other people’s cuts or bandages
• Do not share personal items like towels or razors

Additional resource

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

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