Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to as "staph", are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Occasionally, staph can cause an infection. Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infection in the U.S. Most of these infections are minor, such as pimples or boils. Most can be treated without antibiotics. However, staph infections can cause serious infections. In past, most serious staph bacterial infections were treated with a certain type of antibiotic related to penicillin. In recent years, treatment of these infections has become more difficult because staph bacteria have become resistant to various antibiotics. These resistant bacteria are called methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. Staph and MRSA infections are increasingly common in players of close contact sports.

You can prevent prevent staph or MRSA infections by practicing good hygiene !!!

• Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water
• Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a proper dressing until healed
• Avoid contact with other people's wounds or material contaminated from wounds
• Cover all wounds
• Shower with hot water and wash with soap (pump soap dispensers; no bar soap) after all practices and competitions
• Do not share towels, personal items, clothing or equipment
• Recognize wounds that are potentially infected and report skin lesions to sports medicine staff ASAP!

[I received the above from Ron Courson, Georgia Bulldogs Director of Sports Medicine at University of Georgia Athletic Association. ]