Do health experts consider MRSA a STI?

No, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Although MRSA typically spreads through skin-to-skin contact, which may occur during sex, health experts do not consider it to be an STI.

By definition, an STI is a microorganism, such as bacteria or viruses, that mainly pass between people via blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or other bodily fluids during sexual activities. Therefore, as MRSA spreads through touching skin or a surface with the bacteria and not through bodily fluids, it is not an STI.

Health experts may refer to two types of MRSA: healthcare-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) and community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). HA-MRSA is when a person develops an MRSA infection in a hospital or healthcare facility, while CA-MRSA refers to the spread of this bacteria outside these settings. Although most cases of MRSA occur in healthcare settings, they can also occur in the community.

As such, there may be a small risk of transmitting CA-MRSA if a person’s partner has an active MRSA infection and they have close physical contact, such as performing sexual acts. However, sexual activities are not known as a common route of transmission for MRSA.

Certain individuals may also be at a higher risk of acquiring the bacteria during a sexual encounter. For example, MRSA outbreaks have occurred among gay males. When sores from an MRSA infection develop around the groin, thighs, and buttocks, close skin-to-skin contact during sex may allow for the transmission of MRSA.

Tips for preventing the transmission of MRSA may include:

• maintaining adequate hand and body hygiene
• avoiding sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, or razors
• keeping wounds clean and covered with bandages or dressings
• disposing of bandages correctly
• using barriers between skin and other surfaces

At present, the World Health Organization (WHO) notes there are more than 30 types of STIs. Currently, eight pathogens are responsible for most incidences of STIs. These include:

General tips for preventing STIs include:

• correctly using barrier methods, such as condoms
• receiving vaccines for certain STIs, such as hepatitis B and HPV
• undergoing regular STI testing and sharing results with partners
• limiting the number of sexual partners or being in a mutual monogamous relationship
• abstaining from sexual activities