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A recent study in the Journal of Pediatrics notes an increase over the last five to ten years in the number of kids hospitalized with MRSA.

By Cheril Lee

Omaha, NE –

Dr. Jessica Snowden of UNMC says MRSA is a bacterial infection that is resistant to certain kinds of antibiotics and may cause abscesses if left untreated. She says MRSA may cause infections where there's a break in the skin or an irritated place that allows the bacteria to enter the soft tissue. Dr. Snowden says there are ways you can protect yourself and your children.

One of the best ways to protect yourself from a potential infection is to wash your hands. Also, when children have cuts, scrapes or bruises, it's a good idea to wash these wounds well and keep them covered with a band aid of some type to reduce the risk of infection.

Dr. Snowden also says anything that looks as though it may be infected should be treated sooner rather than later. The sooner children can start antibiotics for these infections; the less likely they are to develop abscesses or other problems.

Dr. Snowden says even though this seems like a new and scary thing, doctors have been dealing with it for several years. She says, "there are still several antibiotics that work very well to treat these infections and so this is something that is very manageable."