According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. MRSA is going around nationwide.  Americans of all ages are going to their doctor 12 million times a year for skin infections that are typical of staph, more than half of which are MRSA.  Sioux Falls Dermatologists and Family Medicine Doctors have seen an increase in the antibiotic resident staph infection. Now is an especially good time to learn about MRSA so you can prevent it.

Since kids are back in school and in sports venues, it's important to know how to avoid the skin infections caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. A potentially dangerous type of staph bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics that may cause other infections.

According to the CDC, MRSA is spread by :
-Having contact with another person's infection.
-Sharing personal items, like towels or razors (anything that's touched the infected skin).
-And touching surfaces or items contaminated with MRSA, like used bandages.

Most staph infections, including MRSA, appear:
-As a bump or infected area on the skin
-Red
-Swollen
-Painful
-Warm to the touch
-Full of pus
-Possibly accompanied by a fever.

If you suspect it's MRSA:
-Cover the area with a bandage immediately and get to the doctor.
-It's especially urgent if you are presenting with symptoms of an MRSA skin infection and you have a fever to go to the Emergency Department.

Recognizing the signs and getting treatment for MRSA skin infections in the early stages reduces the chances of the infection becoming severe.