Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

MRSA (pronounced "MERSA") stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium, or germ, that can be found in the nose and on the skin. Most people who carry the bacterium do not have an infection, but sometimes people will develop infections requiring treatment. When the infection is in your blood, it is called bacteremia.

When common antibiotics, such as penicillin, are not able to destroy Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium is called "resistant," or in this case MRSA. Infections caused by MRSA are not necessarily more serious than infections caused by the regular Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. However, only a few antibiotics will treat MRSA infections.

MRSA is spread by direct contact with an infected person, with their excretions, or with contaminated materials. The bacteria can live on hands or other surfaces, so the best prevention is good hygiene. Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water, or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after using the bathroom or blowing your nose, and before touching wounds and dressings.

For more information on MRSA, please see the Province of Ontario fact sheet.

The Heart Institute's MRSA infection rates are available here (pdf).