Consenting adult (at least 18 years old) subjects will be randomized to 1% retapamulin or placebo ointment intra-nasally twice a day for 5 days (D1-5) with follow up bilateral nares swab one week following completion of therapy (~D12) to assess clearance. If follow up swabs are positive for MRSA, patients will be given a second course of the same agent (retapamulin or placebo) to begin one week following swab collection (~D19-23) so that up to two decolonization attempts will be made. A final set of bilateral nares swabs will be obtained from all subjects six weeks from the completion of initial treatment (~D47).