Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems. MRSA infections that occur in otherwise healthy people who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are known as community-associated (CA)-MRSA infections. These infections are usually skin infections, such as abscesses, boils, and other pus-filled lesions. General Information Frequently Asked Questions about Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) CDPH Clinical Update, February 2008 Informacíon para el público sobre SARM originado en la comunidad MRSA Information for Schools •  CDC Frequently Asked Questions for Schools •  California Department of Public Health: Questions about MRSA in schools [pdf] •   Parent's Guide to MRSA in California      °  English [pdf]      °  Spanish [pdf]      °  16 other languages •   Educational posters for athletic programs •   EPA-approved disinfectants against MRSA [pdf] MRSA Information for Healthcare Providers •  CDC Guide: Outpatient management of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in era of MRSA      °  11" x 17" poster in PDF format       °  Two-page handout in PDF format •  Information for patients      °  General CA-MRSA information from CDC      °  If you have a draining wound [pdf]      °  CDPH Update on MRSA, February 2008 •  CDC General educational posters updated: 03/25/08