KISSIMMEE -- Health workers said a high school football player who died over the weekend had MRSA.
Liberty High School student Alonzo Smith, 18, first went to the hospital last week complaining of back spasms.
He was treated and released, but went back to the hospital and then died Sept. 28.
MRSA is a common skin infection. However, it can sometimes be very resistant to antibiotics.
The health department said it is working on educating the district on the illness, and has sent home letters to parents.
MRSA can be spread through close skin to skin contact and through open cuts.
Smith was a starting linebacker for Liberty's football team.
MRSA is also being blamed for another football player's death in
Philadelphia.
More On MRSA
What Is It? Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a staph bacteria that can cause a skin infection, which in rare cases can be deadly.
How Common Is It? Experts say 85 percent of MRSA cases are found in hospital or other types of health care settings, and not in the community.
What Does It Look Like? The infection often appears as pustules or boils that are hot, red, swollen, painful or have pus and can be accompanied by a fever. They most often occur at places where there have been cuts or abrasions.
How Do You Get It? Skin-to-skin contact or using items that have come in contact with MRSA.
How Do You Treat It? See a health care professional, especially if the person has a fever. Most can be treated by draining the pus, with or without antibiotics depending on the case.
How Do You Prevent It? Keep hands clean; shower immediately after exercise; cover cuts; clean exercise clothes; don't share razors, towels or other personal items.
More Information: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site, www.cdc.gov
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