What Is MRSA?

Here are some helpful facts for concerned parents.

Although serious MRSA disease is still predominantly related to exposures in hospital or health care settings, infections outside health care settings are increasing.
MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's infection (e.g., dirty towels, used bandages). Therefore, practicing both good personal hygiene and disinfection of items and surfaces are important in prevention of the spread of MRSA.

References

CDC, “Questions and Answers about Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Schools”, http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools/
Kleven RM et al, 2007 Invasive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections in the United States. JAMA 298(15):1763-1771