MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) has been in the news quite a bit of late. There have been several reports of outbreaks among athletic teams at all levels, and this is naturally a concern.

Staph aureus is a bacterial species commonly found on the skin and in the nose. About one quarter of the population are carriers, with no symptoms or any adverse effects (everyone else carries Staph epidermidis, a less-virulent cousin). Problems occur when Staph gets into a break in the skin, leading to ugly skin infections. These usually resolve with time and drainage, but can progress to become systemic infections, which are serious and life-threatening. Serious infections are rare in healthy adults and youth. Although nearly 100,000 people die of Staph infections every year, the overwhelming majority of these are the elderly, immune-compromised, and otherwise unwell.

Antibiotic resistance in Staph was first reported in the 1950's. Methicillin resistance (the MR part of MRSA) is the most prevalent and problematic form of antibiotic resistance. Systemic MRSA infections usually require IV drug administration and lengthy hospital stays.

MRSA infections were almost always acquired while in hospitals (another good reason to stay out of them). However, new strains have emerged among the general population. These Community-Acquired MRSA strains can be transmitted outside the hospital. About 1% of the general population (more in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, much less among healthy youth) are CA-MRSA carriers, and have been the source of outbreaks among sports teams. Players of contact sports, such as basketball, are at additional risk because of the cuts and scrapes they get.

Despite the scary names given to it in news articles (eg, superbug), MRSA is readily killed with soap, alcohol and other disinfectants, such as chlorhexidine (found in most disinfectant sprays).

So the bad news is that MRSA is a real threat, leading to nasty skin infections and, rarely, to more serious infections. The good news is that infection is easily preventable by using good hygiene:

1. Clean all cuts and scrapes immediately with alcohol swabs or disinfectant spray
2. Cover the injury on four sides with a sterile bandage until it scabs over
3. Do not share personal items
4. Wash your hands often with soap (also the best way to prevent colds)

This handout (pdf) gives a nice concise summary of what MRSA is, and how to avoid getting infected.

Additional good information can be found from the Mayo Clinic and CDC

I hope this helps, let me know if you have questions or comments

Drew Smith - I am Director of R&D at MicroPhage, a biotech company developing rapid tests for MRSA and other bacterial infections. My staff works with MRSA every day and has never gotten an infection.