How is Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aures REALLY spread?

Is it spread if a person who has MRSA puts their hands in their mouth, then touches a surface ( counter, table etc. ) and then another person touches that same area and rubs their own nose? Is it only spread from open wound to open wound or mucous membrane? If a person with MRSA sneezes in my face will I be exposed? If a person touches their genitals, then touches my body anywhere ( no open areas or mucous membrane ) will I be exposed? If a person with MRSA has a constant runny nose, rubs their nose with their hands, getting fluid on it and then touches me, or some sort of object/surface can it be spread this way?? I need CLEAR answers if their are any. How long does the virus live once it has contaminated a particular surface ( counter, faucet handle etc. )? Besides vigorous and frequent handwashing, what is the best practice to keep myself and others living in the same house from getting it, if the person who has MRSA is always touching themselves and everything/anything there?

First off, it all depends on where the person has MRSA. Someone can have MRSA in their blood, urine, stool, in wounds, in their sputum... If the person has it in their blood, the only way you can get it is if come in contact with their blood on either an open area on you or a mucous membrane. You basically would just want to wear gloves if you're going to be touching their blood. The same goes for someone who has MRSA in their wound. Unless you come in contact with their wound (or something else that has come in contact with their wound) then you're generally safe. If someone has MRSA in their urine or stool, you would want to make sure they are washing their hands thoroughly after they go to the bathroom, and wouldn't want to use the same toilet that they are using (just to be safe). MRSA in the sputum is where it becomes tricky. You'll want to wear a mask around this person, so as not to expose your mucous membranes to the MRSA if they were to cough. If you want to drop me an email through this, I'd be happy to fill you in a little more if you could fill me in more on the details.

Thank you for your very informative answer. This is the BEST answer I have gotten from any healthcare professional, website or literature. You are awesome!!!! Report It

Yes to all of the above ways of getting MRSA. This is why MRSA is becoming more and more frequent. Staphylococcus is a part of our NORMAL bacteria so MRSA (a type of Staph) fits right in.