What is MRSA? (Correctional Staff)

What is MRSA?

• MRSA is a germ that lives on the skin and in the nose.
• An untreated MRSA infection can become very serious.

MRSA usually starts as a bump on the skin.

It can be red, full of pus, warm, painful, or swollen, and may look like a spider bite.

If you have a skin sore:

• Contact a nurse or doctor right away.
• Don’t touch or pop the sore.
• Don’t touch the pus or drain it yourself.
• Cover the sore with a bandage.

How does MRSA spread?

• MRSA spreads when people touch infected skin, pus, or surfaces where it is present.
• Surfaces include personal items, such as razors, clothing, towels, and bedsheets.
• Surfaces include things commonly used by everybody, such as doorknobs and gym equipment.
• MRSA can spread by tattooing done by inmates.

What is MRSA? (Correctional Staff) [PDF - 1,792 KB]