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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• Staphylococcus aureus or "staph" can infect wounds in the skin, cause
pneumonia, or cause infections of the blood.
• MRSA is a type of staph that cannot be killed by some of the
antibiotics used to treat staph infections.
• People commonly carry MRSA on their skin or in their nose without
developing an infection.
• The chance of getting an MRSA infection from visiting a person who
has MRSA is low. Still, MRSA can spread on equipment, room surfaces,
and on the hands of healthcare professionals and visitors. Visitors
should follow instructions carefully if a patient has an MRSA infection.
Tell a healthcare professional if you have:
• Fever
• Chills
• A bump or infected area on the skin that may be red, swollen, or full
of pus or discharge
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Cough or shortness of breath.
Follow the Steps to Prevent HAIs, and:
• Visitors may be asked to wear disposable gowns and gloves during
the visit. Requirements for wearing gowns and gloves may vary by
facility. If visitors are asked to wear gloves, they should clean their
hands before and after using them.
• Ask visitors to perform hand hygiene before entering and after
exiting your hospital room.
• After returning home:
• Use hot water to wash clothes and bed linens.
• Wash dishes with soap and water and dry them.
• Tell anyone else who is caring for you that you have an MRSA
infection (for example, home health nurses and aides, therapists,
and doctors' offices).
