Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) superbugs are more likely to affect players of contact sports than other athletes, according to a new study. The close contact of athletes in this class of sports appears to spread the drug-resistant bacteria from one person to another.
Infections of MRSA usually occur under skin and in soft tissues. They can be treated, and usually heal, however invasive MRSA infections can be more serious. They are responsible for roughly 18,000 annual deaths in the United States.