MRSA is a type of staph infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics, such as methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin.
Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among people with weakened immune systems and the elderly in hospitals and healthcare facilities. However, cases of community-associated staph infections have been on the rise, and are usually associated with close skin-to skin contact, open cuts, contaminated items, poor hygiene and crowded living conditions.