Scary News about MRSA Superbugs, Part I: Protect Yourself

Ten Tips for Protecting Yourself from MRSA

MRSA, the Superbug strain of staph infection, previously found in hospitals and healthcare facilities, has now made the leap to other public places like schools, gyms, locker rooms and indoor pools. MRSA has been sweeping the news in recent weeks with fatal cases in New York, Virginia and elsewhere -- causing logjams at the pediatrician's office as nervous parents drag their kids in to have each bump, pimple and reddened scratch looked at.

Before worrying if you've got MRSA, let's worry about how to protect yourself and family from coming in contact with MRSA in the first place. MRSA, like many contagious diseases lying in wait in locker rooms and schools, is passed on by skin to skin contact or from contact with an object that has been touched by another's infection -- like sharing workout equipment or machines, towels or uniforms. Taking normal precautions is the key to staying healthy. Follow these ten tips to protect yourself: