Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph," is a bacteria commonly found on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. Occasionally, staphylococci can get into the body and cause an infection. MRSA are staphylococci that are resistant to the antibiotic, methicillin, and other commonly used antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporins, therefore, alternate antibiotics must be used to treat persons infected with MRSA. Although outbreaks of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) usually have been associated with health-care institutions, MRSA is emerging as a cause of skin infections in the community. Some schools have reported clusters of skin and soft tissue infections associated with MRSA among participants in competitive sports and are addressing possible risk factors for infection (e.g., physical contact, skin damage, and sharing of equipment or clothing). Practice good personal hygiene including thorough hand-washing.