It's no big deal to catch a common cold from a roommate, but close living conditions in dorms and apartment buildings and additional spring gym use can also contribute to the spread of staph infections.

Staphylococcus is a very common bacteria and is present on most people's skin in some form, Margaret Spear, director of University Health Services, said.

Marlene Stetson, infection control coordinator for Mount Nittany Medical Center, estimated that about 30 percent of people have the bacteria already in their nose or on their skin.

"There are different kinds of staphylococcus bacteria and some are more likely to cause infections," Spear said.

Staph bacteria can cause skin infections such as pimples and boils.

There may also be redness, swelling, pus or other drainage.

Staph bacteria can also cause more serious infections, such as blood and joint infections, and pneumonia, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

"It's more likely to cause infection if there is some break in the integrity of the skin," Spear said.

Some staph bacteria called Methicillin-resistant Staph aureus (MRSA) cannot be killed by certain antibiotics normally used to treat staph infections, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

University Health Services saw approximately 39 MRSA infections test positive out of 204 skin cultures in the past year.

"Many more of the infections we see are caused by the resistant bacteria," Spear said. "The bacteria has developed resistance to some of the antibiotics that used to easily cure the infections."

MRSA is a little more difficult to treat but is still quite treatable with commonly used antibiotics, Spear said.

The antibiotics tetracycline, methicillin and Bactrim are commonly prescribed to treat staphylococcus infections, Spear said.

"Most infections are relatively superficial, but some require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics," Spear said.

Staphylococcus infections are more common in people who have recently been hospitalized since their immune systems are weakened, but can also be spread among people with no recent hospitalization.

According to Spear, staphylococcus is spread very easily through skin-to-skin contact. The bacteria also have some ability to survive on the surfaces of contaminated inanimate objects.

An article in the University of Oklahoma's student newspaper on March 21 suggested that staph infections can be picked up in gyms.

"We've had a couple of people who've asked the question, but to the best of my knowledge, we haven't run into that situation," said Chip Harrison, Penn State head strength and conditioning coach.

Penn State gyms make antibacterial disinfectant available for patrons to clean equipment before use, Harrison said.

"The equipment is rigorously maintained and cleaned to keep the environment safe," Harrison said. "We also encourage people to bring towels for their own safety and peace of mind."

Good hygiene is the best way to prevent staph and MRSA infections.

"Don't share personal equipment like towels, soap and razors," Stetson said. "Simple hand-washing and the cleaning of your environment can prevent infection."

The CDC recommends that people avoid sharing personal items and keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water. The CDC also advises people to keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a proper dressing and to avoid contact with other people's wounds or material contaminated from wounds.