How to reduce your chance of aquiring a Staph infection

In the news today, a new scientific report suggests that swimmers using public ocean beaches increase their risk for exposure to staph bacteria and potential infections.

Staph infections are a growing public health concern. You acquire a staph infection when the bacteria staphylococcus aureus enters small cracks in the skin or a wound, quickly spreading to healthy cells.

The study found swimmers have a 37 percent chance of exposure to staph in subtropical marine waters. However, less than 3 percent of the water tested contained the potentially virulent variety of antibiotic resistant staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA, which can cause mild skin irritations and, in some cases, death.

Of course, this doesn't mean you should cancel your summer trip to the beach. John Cmar, M.D., a Sinai Hospital of Baltimore physician, recently spoke to Fox 45 news about the dangers of acquiring MRSA and tips for keeping the harmful germs at bay. Click here to see the video.