MRSA infection - Diagnosis 

An MRSA infection is most commonly diagnosed using a blood, urine, tissue or sputum (spit) culture.

This involves taking a sample of one or more of these substances and placing them in a dish of nutrients. This should encourage any staph bacteria that are present to reproduce and grow.

If the bacteria develop, different antibiotics can be directed at them to see if the bacteria have developed resistance to the antibiotics.

This type of test is often used to screen people before they are admitted to hospital to help reduce rates of MRSA.

Read more about NHS screening for MRSA.