Staphylococcus (Staph) Infections
Fact Sheet
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Staphylococcus aureus, often called "staph,"
are bacteria commonly found on the skin or in the nose of healthy people.
Occasionally, this bacteria can cause an infection.
In fact, staph
bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the
United States.
Approximately 25-30% of the population can carry staph in the nose at
any given time without ever showing any symptoms of illness (this is
called colonization).
One type of this bacteria, called methicillin-resistant
Staph. aureus (MRSA), has most commonly caused infections among persons
in hospitals or health care facilities. However, MRSA is now
becoming common in community settings and has been known to cause
outbreaks among athletes participating in contact sports.
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