MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a common type of bacteria
that lives harmlessly in the nose or on the skin of around
25-30% of people. Most people do not even realise they
are carrying the germ, or only experience minor problems
such as skin infections or boils.

Minor SA infections can be treated with antibiotics. In the
past, even serious SA infections could be successfully treated
with antibiotics similar to methicillin. However, over the past
50 years or so, some types of SA have developed into
'super-strains', which have become resistant to methicillin as
well as many other antibiotics and so are classified as MRSA.

MRSA can be difficult to treat and may require a lengthy
stay in hospital. In some cases, it can lead to serious
health problems such as blood poisoning and infections
of the lungs, bones or the heart valve. A small number of
people die from the effects of MRSA.

Unfortunately, rates of MRSA in the UK are among the
highest in Europe and so it is important to understand how
MRSA is passed on and what can be done to prevent it.