Where are staph and MRSA infections acquired?
Most staph and MRSA infections are healthcare-associated, occurring in hospitals, dialysis centers, and nursing homes where people have weakened immune systems. Staph infections are also considered to be healthcare-associated if they occur in individuals who have been hospitalized or have had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, or catheters) within the past year. Staph and MRSA infections are also found outside of healthcare settings and in people who have not recently been hospitalized or had a medical procedure. These staph infections are referred to as community-associated. The number of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) cases has been on the rise, and data from 2003 suggests that 12% of MRSA cases are community-associated. Community-associated staph and MRSA infections can be acquired anywhere. However, they are more likely to be acquired in settings where there can be close physical contact such as in schools, dormitories, military barracks, households, correctional
