There are different types of Staph infections that tend to occur, MRSA tends to have strains tha occur in most places of health care.Community associated MRSA is a strain that occurs in more open populations outside of health care.

Risks with health care associated MRSA

• Any recent or current hospitalization can give greater risk in an infection from MRSA. This is because any person who is seeking or currently undergoing treatment for any reason tends to have a more weak immune system at the time, thus making that person more vulnerable to contracting MRSA. A national statistic conducted by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology concluded that out of every 1000 people who have, or are currently undergoing treatment, an estimated 46 people contracted MRSA.

• Having residence at any long term care facility. Most people who tend to live in any care facility have weaker immune systems, and hygiene also tends to be less prevalent. These factors tend to make the spreading of MRSA much easier, which makes the likelihood of contracting an infection from it much greater. Even if a carrier of MRSA isnt having any symptoms of infection, they are still capable of easily spreading it.

• Recent use of antibiotics can further the risk for contracting an infection from MRSA. Use of antibiotics like ciproflaxin, levoflaxin, cephalosporin can cause the risk of contracting MRSA much higher.

• The use of medical devices, such as: hypodermic needles, feeding tubes, dialysis machines, or the use of any invasive medical equipment can further the risk of contracting MRSA.

Risks with community associated MRSA

• Community associated MRSA is far more dangerous and prevalent among children. Children tend to have more injuries than adults, and since children have weaker immune systems they are more susceptible to MRSA. Children don’t have as strict sanitation habits, so the spread of MRSA is faster, and at more instances.

• Any contact sport has an increased risk for contracting MRSA, mostly in team-based sports. Cuts and injuries occur often within many sports, and since most people are coming in close contact, and tend to be unclean, MRSA can more than easily be spread, causing infection. Usually the sharing of equipment or towels increases the risk of spreading MRSA as well.

• Anybody who lives in crowded or unsanitary conditions, these could be anything from living with many family members, living in a smaller place, or living somewhere in which has minimal sanitation. For instance, prisons, apartments, and military camps. Practically anywhere in which someone is exposed to an unclean environment or crowded living conditions.

Be sure to understand that these are only a fraction of reasons and possibilities that MRSA can be contracted. But knowing more about how MRSA works can allow better understanding on how to avoid it, as well as prevent it from occurring.