Infections Common at Home or Away

These MRSA pictures are here to illustrate the various ways MRSA skin infections and other infections can look. Look through these MRSA pictures and submit your own MRSA pictures for the gallery to help others understand.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacterial infection that is becoming more common. It's hard to treat because it is immune to many of the antibiotics used to treat garden variety staph infections.

Rabies in humans is extremely rare in developed countries. There was only one documented case in the US in 2007. Rabies from domestic dog bites hasn't been reported in over a decade (there were a couple of cases from foreign dogs). Usually, rabies comes from bites or scratches by wild animals.

Scarlet fever is brought to you by group A Streptococcus, the same bacteria that causes strep throat. Scarlet fever shows up as a rash on some people that are suffering from strep throat, usually kids younger than 18.

MRSA is everywhere. Literally. To find proof, just read the papers and watch TV news. Teachers swab the classroom with modified baby wipes because of MRSA. Products advertise their ability to kill MRSA. Hospital staff make huge notes on patients' charts when MRSA is present. Stickers and bands declare MRSA status for all (healthcare providers)...

Washing your hands is the best way to prevent the spread of disease. Try to get in the habit of washing your hands regularly, and pretty soon you'll start to notice when your hands aren't clean.

Cold sores come from the herpes simplex virus. There's nothing you can do to shorten an outbreak, but you can make it feel better.

Campylobacter is one of the most common bacterial causes of diarrheal illness in the United States. Virtually all cases occur as isolated, sporadic events, not as a part of large outbreaks. Campylobacteriosis is estimated to affect over 1 million persons every year, or 0.5% of the general population.

West Nile Virus is a summertime epidemic that continues into fall. It is usually spread by mosquitos carrying infected blood.

Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Every year, about 18,000 cases of shigellosis are reported in the United States. Learn how to recognize Shigella infection.

Salmonella infections account for approximately 600 deaths in the US each year. There are more than 40,000 cases of Salmonella infection every year. Learn about Salmonella.

Influenza - also known as the flu - is a common viral infection that is easily spread and commonly affects many during the winter months. Learn about influenza (flu).

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a foodborne illness caused by contaminated meat. Learn to recognize Escherichia coli O157:H7 and prevent it.

Got a fever? Check your symptoms. Find out what you should do for your fever, when to see a doctor and how to treat it.

About Cold and Flu: You need to know how to use a thermometer if you or your child has a fever. It may be harder than you think and there are quite a few options out there. Find out what you need to know about how to use a thermometer to check your fever.

Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) facts on influenza.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) fact sheet on Escherichia coli 0157:H7.

Reader MRSA Pics - Readers Share Reader MRSA PicsSee submissions

An infected cut can lead to a serious illness if left untreated. Even a little cut that doesn't need stitches can cause big problems if it gets infected. So, how can you tell if a cut is infected?

Boils are usually blisters caused by skin infections. Boils can heal alone or may need to be treated by a doctor. About.com readers share their boils and skin infections.See submissions

Boils look like really big pimples and are pus filled abscesses. They can be the size of a kernel of corn or grow bigger than a golf ball. Often, they are warmer than the skin around them. Boils form from infected skin: staphylococcus aureas, MRSA or group A streptococcus.

Skin boils look like really big pimples. I always think of a boil as boiling over. To me, it looks like a bubble floated to the surface of the skin and is trying to break away. Besides boils, these lesions are also known as carbuncles or furuncles.

Shingles is an inflammation of nerves caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. Learn about shingles causes, symptoms and treatment.

How can you tell if your infection is viral or bacterial? More importantly, do you need to?