Risk factors

Because hospital and community strains of MRSA generally occur in different settings, the risk factors for the two strains differ.

Risk factors for HA-MRSA

• Being hospitalized. MRSA remains a concern in hospitals, where it can attack those most vulnerable — older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
• Having an invasive medical device. Medical tubing — such as intravenous lines or urinary catheters — can provide a pathway for MRSA to travel into your body.
• Residing in a long-term care facility. MRSA is prevalent in nursing homes. Carriers of MRSA have the ability to spread it, even if they're not sick themselves.

Risk factors for CA-MRSA

• Participating in contact sports. MRSA can spread easily through cuts and scrapes and skin-to-skin contact.
• Living in crowded or unsanitary conditions. MRSA outbreaks have occurred in military training camps, child care centers and jails.
• Men having sex with men. Men who have sex with men have a higher risk of developing MRSA infections.
• Having HIV infection. People with HIV have a higher risk of developing MRSA infections.
• Using illicit injected drugs. People who use illicit injected drugs have a higher risk of MRSA infections.