CA-MRSA

Community-Associated Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

Staphylococcus aureus (also known as "staph") is a common bacteria that lives on the skin and in the noses of people.  Most of the time it causes no harm, but it can be the cause of skin infections and abscesses/boils.

CA-MRSA refers to a type of staph which is resistant to the antibiotics doctors have historically used to fight skin infections.  

Recently, CA-MRSA has dramatically increased in frequency across the United States. This is likely at least partially due to an overuse of antibiotics. Rutgers has noted a similar increase in these infections.

The large majority of CA-MRSA infections are not medically serious and may still be treated with other antibiotics and/or draining of pus.

More information, including ways to protect yourself from infection, is available from the Centers for Disease Control.

If you think you may have a skin infection, please schedule an appointment with any of our Health Centers.