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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), sometimes called a "superbug," is a type of staph bacteria that does not respond to many common antibiotics. It causes skin infections and, in hospitals, serious bloodstream infections, pneumonia and surgical site infections. It spreads by contact with infected skin, contaminated hands and shared items or surfaces. CDC estimates MRSA caused 323,700 infections in hospitalized patients and 10,600 deaths in the U.S. in 2017. Hand hygiene is one of the main ways to stop it spreading. See What is MRSA? Why Care?