MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . MRSA can affect people in different ways.
People can carry the organism in the nose or on the skin without showing any symptoms of illness.
This is called MRSA colonization. MRSA also can cause infections such as boils, wound infections, infected decubitus ulcers, etc. There is no evidence that properly-treated infections caused by MRSA are more or less serious that other Staphylococcus aureus infections. Proper hand washing should be performed after the care of each resident, after handling soiled dressings and clothing, and after wearing gloves. Report illness including unusual skin rashes or boils to your supervisor before working with residents.