It is very important to understand what makes infection different from colonization. What makes colonization different from infection is that colonization is where there is a presence of the bacteria strain that causes an infection, but is without any symptoms of the strain.

The colonization can occur in any opening on the body, such as any open wounds on the skin, skin folds, the trachea, the rectum, or in places such as the nostrils. Approximately 70% to 90% of about every individual on Earth is constantly colonized with the S. Aureus (Staph that is susceptible or resistant to methicillin), with the greatest concentration located in the anterior part of the nostril. If someone is colonized with MRSA, as most individuals are, that does not mean that treatment is necessary, but that precautions should be taken to ensure that infection does not occur.