This is what Rosie O'Donnell had trouble with her hand a few years ago. It took forever to heal and keep from spreading. Several athletes in high school got it a few years ago and it was spread through shower contact. The regular staph infection is pretty bad as well. A few years ago,my little grandson had a small red spot on his hiney, like an ant bite and the next morning was a huge boil and he had fever of 105 and was admitted to the hospital for a week, packing the huge hole it turned into with antibiotic soaked gauze every few hours. He stll has a scar from it. Just recently, my son was in the emergency room for his blood pressure and the nurse came in to take a swab, to test for MRSA. She said it had become standard in most hospitals. I hope so. You can carry the bug and not have symptoms, from what I understand. If someone gets it, the whole family needs to be tested and treated if necessary. It is an antibiotic overuse mutant.

MRSA has been around a long time. I am a retired nurse that has patients with MRSA, I have even had it myself. There is community aquired MRSA and hospital aquired. There are antibiotics that cure some cases of MRSA. I do agree that this is a dangerous infectious disease. Public pools and hot tubs being very dangerous, and should be avoided by anyone with an open sore. I am glad this is being brought to the attention of the public. It should definately be reported to the CDC by hospitals and physicians any confirmed cases.

Hospitals should have to report MRSA - The CDC should be keeping records of the occurance of this infectious disease. Where it occurs and how many occurances have happened.

mrsa is a very real threat to kids and immunocompromised folks i.e. folks on chemo or radiation therapy, folks on some arthritis meds, folks on aids drugs, and generally any one who who has trouble with fighting infection. early stages look something like(often) an impetigo lesion. there are also several places to avoid where mrsa is a threat. the low coastal waters around the mid- coastal bayous and waterways are places to avoid without boots. any way, be vigilant with your kids and our older or compromised citizens. see a dr. pretty quick if something on your skin looks crusty or hot,swollen inflamed. peace folks if there are more qualified folks out there, please feel free to expand or dispute any of my post. my feelings won't be hurt.