<p>MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It causes a <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/staphylococcalinfections.html">staph infection</a> (pronounced "staff infection") that is resistant to several common <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/antibiotics.html">antibiotics</a>. There are two types of infection. Hospital-associated MRSA happens to people in health care settings. Community-associated MRSA happens to people who have close skin-to-skin contact with others, such as athletes involved in football and wrestling.</p> <p><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/infectioncontrol.html">Infection control</a> is key to stopping MRSA in hospitals. To prevent community-associated MRSA:</p><ul> <li>Practice good hygiene</li> <li>Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed</li> <li>Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages</li> <li>Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels, washcloths, razors, or clothes</li> <li>Wash soiled sheets, towels, and clothes in hot water with bleach and dry in a hot dryer</li> </ul> <p>If a wound appears to be infected, see a health care provider. Treatments may include draining the infection and antibiotics.</p>