Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times Winner of Eight Pulitzer Prizes

Special reports


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced
Quick links: Traffic | Movies | Restaurants | Today's events | Video | Photos | Interactives | Blogs | Forums | Subscriber Services
Contact us

Originally published Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Comments (0)     Print

What is MRSA?

MRSA — methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus — is an antibiotic-resistant form of the common staph germ. It survives on most any surface but thrives on moist areas of the skin. Over time, it has gained more resistance to antibiotics and developed strains tougher to treat.

How it's transmitted

It is spread by touch or contact. The pathogen enters the body through breaks in the skin, such as a cut or during surgery. Minor skin infections, such as blisters and boils, are the most common symptom. But the bacteria can develop into serious, even life-threatening, problems such as infections of the heart, blood and bones.

Where people get it

About 85 percent of people infected with MRSA get the germ at a hospital or other health-care facility. MRSA increasingly is spread in the community in such settings as playgrounds or locker rooms.

What you can do

Avoid sharing towels, razors and bar soap. Before having surgery, talk to your doctor about getting a MRSA test. Other preventive measures include washing hands and covering wounds with bandages.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Special reports headlines...

Print      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

Comments
No comments have been posted to this article.
Read all comments / Share your thoughts

advertising

More Special reports

How our hospitals unleashed a MRSA epidemic

Advertising

Video

Marketplace

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
  1. Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
  2. 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
  3. Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
  4. Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
  5. Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
  6. Justin Wilcox's versatile defensive style is the right fit for Huskies | Jerry Brewer
  7. It's Terrence Time: Enigmatic Ross leads Huskies
  8. Social worker recounts minutes before Powell fire
  9. $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
  10. Club promoter convicted in brutal 2010 murder of Des Moines prostitute
  1. Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature Comments434
  2. Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looming Comments346
  3. Sheriff's office unhappy with 911 dispatcher in caseworker's call Comments282
  4. 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising Comments235
  5. Source: NY, California to sign mortgage settlement Comments213
  6. Oregon live game thread Comments153
  7. Pac-12 picks ... including the UW game Comments140
  8. Lakewood cop accused of taking donations for slain officers' families Comments112
  9. Department of Justice owes the Seattle Police Department an apology Comments88
  10. Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color Comments76
  1. State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
  2. 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
  3. One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
  4. Darren Berg gets 18-year sentence for Ponzi scheme
  5. $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
  6. A wandering gene's destructive path | Book review
  7. 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review
  8. UW opening incubator facility for startups
  9. Controversial principal at Lowell Elementary takes job in Tacoma
  10. Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families

Most viewed imagesMore

Advertising