At a glance
- Staphylococcus aureus, referred to as "staph," are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, are staph bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics.
- The overall risk of developing a MRSA infection after flu is very low.
Background
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph," are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Staph bacteria frequently cause skin infections, such as boils. Most of these infections are not life-threatening.
In addition to skin infections, staph bacteria can cause infections in the blood, in the bones, and in the lungs (pneumonia). In the past, most serious staph bacterial infections could be treated with an antibiotic related to penicillin. However, over the past 50 years, some staph bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, including the commonly used penicillin-related antibiotics. These resistant staph bacteria are called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.
Flu and people who have had a MRSA infection
The overall risk of developing a MRSA infection after flu appears to be very low. However, CDC continues to work with state and local public health authorities to better understand this association.
CDC is working with state and local public health authorities to monitor and investigate infections with MRSA, including pneumonias and other types of MRSA infections that occur in patients with flu. CDC also acts as a technical advisor to state and local health departments and various professional organizations that are working to control MRSA.
Visit the CDC MRSA web site for more information about recognition, prevention and treatment of MRSA infections.