Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections.

A skin infection with MRSA may begin as a reddened area that can look like a pimple or boil. This area may become red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage.

MRSA can look like a pimple, boil or is often thought to be a "spider bite." It is often red, swollen, and painful with pus or other drainage. You cannot look at the site and tell if it is MRSA. The area must be cultured to determine whether it is MRSA or not.

The decision to close a school for any communicable disease should be made by school officials in consultation with local and/or state public health officials. However, in most cases, it is not necessary to close schools because of an MRSA infection in a student. It is important to note that MRSA transmission can be prevented by simple measures such as hand hygiene and covering infections.

CDC's Web site provides health information for your general knowledge. Concerns about a medical condition?either your own or that of a family member?should always be addressed to your primary care physician for advice and care appropriate to your specific medical needs. CDC does not recommend self-diagnosis or self-management of health problems that should be attended to by healthcare professionals.

In the outbreaks of MRSA, the environment has not played a significant role in the transmission of MRSA. MRSA is transmitted most frequently by direct skin-to-skin contact. You can protect yourself from infections by practicing good hygiene (e.g.

Buckingham S, McDougal L, Cathey L;et al. Emergence of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus at a Memphis, Tennessee Children's Hospital. Ped InfDis J. 23(7):619-624, 2004 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections—Michigan. MMWR. 1981;30:185-7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Yes. It is possible to have a staph or MRSA skin infection come back (recur) after it is cured. To prevent this from happening, follow your healthcare provider’s directions while you have the infection, and follow the prevention steps after the infection is gone. Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on proper care of the wound.

Usually, it should not be necessary to inform the entire school community about a single MRSA infection. When an MRSA infection occurs within the school population, the school nurse and school physician should determine, based on their medical judgment, whether some or all students, parents and staff should be notified. Consultation with the local public health authorities should be used to guide this decision.

Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages until healed. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions on proper care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph, including MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others. Bandages and tape can be discarded with the regular trash. Clean your hands frequently.

In the outbreaks of MRSA, the environment has not played a significant role in the transmission of MRSA. MRSA is transmitted most frequently by direct skin-to-skin contact. You can protect yourself from infections by practicing good hygiene (e.g.

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