Final answer:
To prevent Staphylococcus aureus infections, practice good hygiene, keep wounds clean, avoid sharing personal items, clean shared surfaces regularly, and use antibiotics responsibly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Staphylococcus aureus, commonly referred to as “staph,” can be best prevented by practicing good hygiene, such as regular hand washing, keeping wounds covered and clean, and avoiding sharing personal items that come into contact with your skin. To specifically prevent the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), it is vital to maintain cleanliness in healthcare settings and communities. This includes regular cleaning of shared surfaces and prompt treatment of skin infections. It's also crucial to use antibiotics responsibly to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.
Populations at higher risk, such as hospital patients and individuals in densely populated living conditions, must be extra vigilant. Those with a higher vulnerability, like patients in healthcare facilities who might be exposed to hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA), and younger individuals who may be more likely to acquire community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA), should take additional precautions to prevent infection.