The health district receives about 6,000 reports of MRSA each year, but this number is not an accurate reflection of the actual number of cases. In many cases, the infection is mild and self-limiting, eventually clearing up on their own without medical attention.

MRSA can be acquired by skin-to-skin contact or through contact with items that have touched an infected person’s skin, such as towels or gym equipment. The SNHD gave these tips for prevention:

• Proper hand washing


• Not sharing towels, soap, deodorant, etc.


• Cleaning and sanitizing athletic equipment with frequent skin contact


• Covering cuts, scrapes and open wounds with bandages to prevent the spread of the disease


• Seeking medical care for wounds or cuts that are red, swollen, painful or draining


• Taking antibiotics responsibly


• Complete the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel better


• Do not skip doses of antibiotics


• Do not share antibiotics with other people


• Do not demand antibiotics from your healthcare provider. Your physician will be able to determine if antibiotics are appropriate for the infection. Many common infections are caused by viruses; antibiotics cannot be used to treat viral infections.

For more information, visit the Southern Nevada Health District’s Web site here.