Avoiding MRSA

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It is called MRSA and it stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. I remember in my medical career that early on it was limited to hospitals and the sickest of patients. Of course we now know that MRSA can be found in the community.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is the way we describe a bacterial infection that does not respond to the usual antibiotics. The reason why this is the case is because for many years the same antibiotics were used to treat the Staphylococcus bacteria. Over time the bacteria mutated or changed and learned essentially how to fight off the medication. The reason it occurred first in the hospital setting was that these were the people who were placed on long-term antibiotics to fight Staphylococcus. Eventually the infection spread in a hospital setting and became more aggressive, especially when medications did not work.

After a few years, MRSA began showing up in the community. The best way to prevent developing the condition is by washing hands regularly, making sure you wipe down exercise equipment and don't share towels, clothing and utensils.

If you see a strange skin infection and it is not getting better make sure you consult your physician.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor