• Question: Can you carry MRSA without being infected by it?

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      Asked by Sophie? to Daniela ?, ☣ Danna, Jonny, Juan, Lindsay on 13 Jun 2016. This question was also asked by scarlett.
      • Photo: Danna Gifford

        Danna Gifford answered on 13 Jun 2016:

        Hi Sophie,

        That’s a great question! MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (or S. aureus for short), and yes you CAN carry it without even knowing!

        S. aureus is a bacterium often found in the noses of healthy people—just hanging out there, not causing an infection. About 20% of adults carry S. aureus in their nose at all times, 60% have it only sometimes, and 20% of people never have it at all. People who work with animals (e.g. in pig farms) are more likely to be carriers because they pick it up from the animals.

        People with S. aureus living in their nose usually have the MSSA (methicillin sensitive) type, but about 3% of people with S. aureus in the nose have the MRSA type. That means less than 1% of people carry MRSA.

        This is why it’s very important to wash your hands after you sneeze, especially in a hospital setting, to avoid transmitting bacteria to other people.

      • Photo: Lindsay Robinson

        Lindsay Robinson answered on 13 Jun 2016:

        Great answer Danna. I can’t add anything to that!

      • Photo: Jonathan Hunter

        Jonathan Hunter answered on 13 Jun 2016:

        Ditto what Danna said.

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