Photo Credit: CDC 
Information in this brochure has been 
adapted from the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, a division of the 
Department of Health and Human Services 
Empire State Plaza 
Corning Tower 
Albany, NY 
Community- 
Associated MRSA 
(CA-MRSA) in 
Athletic Settings 
• Practice good hygiene. Shower thoroughly 
with soap after all practices and 
competitions. Wash hands frequently 
with soap and water or alcohol-based 
hand sanitizers. If hands are visibly 
soiled wash thoroughly with soap and 
water. 
• Do not share towels or other personal 
items such as clothing, razors or equipment. 
Since these items can become 
contaminated and may spread disease, 
regularly wash items after each use. 
• Assess skin regularly for any lesions. 
• Avoid contact with other people’s 
wounds or bandages. 
• Perform appropriate first aid for cuts / 
scrapes — all cuts and other abrasions 
on the skin should be washed with 
soap and water. 
• Cover all wounds with clean bandages 
or other forms of dressings daily until 
healed. If you have a wound that can 
not be covered adequately, notify the 
coach or your school nurse and consider 
refraining from practice or competitions 
until the wound can be covered or has 
completely healed. 
• Refer any wound that could be potentially 
infectious to appropriate personnel, 
including your school nurse, coach, 
or family members if warranted. 
• Sports gear (i.e., helmets) that are nonwashable 
should be wiped down with 
disinfectants after each use. 
• Inquire of routine cleaning schedules for 
shared equipment (i.e., towels, clothing, 
athletic equipment). 
• Visit your healthcare provider if you 
think you have CA-MRSA. 
Recommendations to Prevent 
CA-MRSA 
A Student Guide for 
Control and Prevention 
New York State Department of Health 
A Student Guide for 
Control and Prevent i o n 
For additional information on MRSA: 
Visit: 
New York State Department of Health 
www.health.state.ny.us 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
www.cdc.gov 
You may also contact: 
Local health department and/or 
Your healthcare provider 

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a 
bacteria commonly found on the skin and 
in the nose of 20-30% of healthy individuals. 
This bacteria often causes skin infections, 
however it can also cause other 
more serious infections, such as pneumonia 
or bloodstream infections. 
What is MRSA? 
Methicillin-resistant 
Staphylococcus 
aureus (MRSA) is a 
strain of S. aureus 
that is resistant to 
methicillin, an antibiotic 
in the same 
class as penicillin. 
MRSA is traditionally seen in people recently 
hospitalized or who have been 
treated at a healthcare facility (such as a 
dialysis center). 
What is CA-MRSA? 
Community-associated MRSA infections 
are considered to be community-associated 
because they occur in people who have 
not been hospitalized or had a medical 
procedure (i.e., dialysis or surgery) within 
the past year. 
CA-MRSA infections have been documented 
among athletes, prisoners, military 
recruits, daycare attendees, injection drug 
users, and others who live in crowded settings 
or routinely share contaminated 
items. 
What is Staphylococcus 
aureus? 
What does a CA-MRSA skin 
infection look like? 
A skin infection with CAMRSA 
can begin as a reddened 
area on the skin, or 
resemble a pimple that can 
develop into a skin abscess or 
boil causing fever, pus, swelling 
or pain. 
CA-MRSA skin infections can be treated by 
incising, draining, and locally caring for the 
wound. Antibiotics can be administered as 
necessary. These infections can progress to a 
more serious and difficult-to-treat stage if not 
cared for properly and promptly. 
It is also possible for a preexisting cut, turfburn 
or other irritated area on the skin to develop 
an infection with CA-MRSA if the area 
is not kept clean and dry. 
How is CA-MRSA spread? 
CA-MRSA is spread through person-to-person 
contact or contact with 
contaminated items such 
as towels, razors, clothing/
uniforms, and athletic 
equipments. Poor 
hygiene practices help 
facilitate the spread of 
the pathogen. 
How can Athletes prevent 
CA-MRSA skin infections? 
Both the National Collegiate Athletic 
Association (NCAA) and the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 
have identified CA-MRSA as an emerging 
problem for athletic participants. 
The NCAA recommends practicing good 
personal hygiene and avoiding contact 
with infected areas to prevent the transmission 
of CA-MRSA. 
Athletes who participate in sports involving 
contact (football, wrestling, 
etc.) are encouraged to shower with soap 
as soon as possible after practices and 
competitions and to avoid sharing personal 
items such as towels or razors. 
Athletes who participate in activities 
where equipment is often collectively 
used are encouraged to reduce sharing 
and to regularly clean equipment with 
commercial disinfectants or a 1:100 solution 
of diluted bleach (1 tablespoon of 
bleach in 1 quart water). 
Additionally, appropriate first aid 
should be practiced at all times—all cuts 
or other abrasions on the skin should be 
washed with soap and water. Clean 
dressings should be applied every day 
until healed. Soiled dressings should be 
adequately disposed of after handling. 
Hands should be washed before and after 
performing wound care. 
For thorough care instruction, consult 
your school nurse or your healthcare 
professional. 
Infection site: ankle 
May be mistaken for spider bites