Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)MRSA (pronounced "mersa") is a form of Staphylococcus aureus (usually just called staph, pronounced like "staff"). Staph is a common form of bacteria. It normally lives on skin. Nearly one-third of Americans also have staph living harmlessly inside their nasal passages. Staph germs don't usually cause a problem. But they can cause infection when they enter the body through a cut or sore, or during surgery, a medical procedure or a serious injury.
Partly because of the widespread overuse of antibiotics, some strains of bacteria, like MRSA, are becoming harder to treat - and more serious. But MRSA infections usually respond to certain powerful antibiotics, like vancomycin. WVMI will work with hospitals to reduce the number of patients that develop MRSA. We will offer educational programs and resources on the treatment and prevention of MRSA.
To learn more about MRSA, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Web site.