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Retired in 2010, In Memoriam
Community-Associated Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA)
Overview of Community-Associated MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph that is resistant to certain antibiotics. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems (see healthcare-associated MRSA).
MRSA infections that are acquired by persons who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are known as CA-MRSA infections. Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people.
Background/General Information
Podcast: Key fact about MRSA
Date Released: 10/23/2007, Running time 4:57
Fact Sheet: Invasive MRSA 2007
CA-MRSA Information for the Public
CA-MRSA Information for Clinicians
What Is CDC Doing about MRSA?
Questions and Answers about MRSA in Schools
Educational Materials
Patient Information Sheet
Posters
All available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca.html
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