A single copy of this article may be reprinted for personal,
noncommercial use only. MRSA infectionBy Mayo Clinic staff
Original Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mrsa/DS00735
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is
caused by a strain of staph bacteria that's become resistant to
the antibiotics commonly used to treat ordinary staph
infections. Most MRSA infections occur in people who have been
in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing
homes and dialysis centers. When it occurs in these settings,
it's known as health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). HA-MRSA
infections typically are associated with invasive procedures or
devices, such as surgeries, intravenous tubing or artificial
joints. Another type of MRSA infection has occurred in the wider
community — among healthy people. This form, community-
associated MRSA (CA-MRSA), often begins as a painful skin boil.
It's spread by skin-to-skin contact. At-risk populations include
groups such as high school wrestlers,