Someone at work has told me they have mrsa. how easily does it spread to others? what can i do to prevent getting it?

Good hygiene: MRSA is a bacteria (methicillin resistant staph aureus). It is spread by direct contact, not through the air. So you, and everyone in the office, and especially your infected colleague, need to practice good hygiene. Wash hands and have alcohol gel available for everyone. But it can easily be contained. Here is a good link from the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/pdf/SHEA-mrsa_largertext.pdf

Avoid direct contact: MRSA is a skin infection and is passed from one to another by direct skin contact. We probably all have MRSA on our bodies but it does not cause any problem until our immune system is compromised Use common sense and good handwashing and avoid direct skin to skin contact

MRSA fears: MRSA is a bacterial infection that is resistant to standard care. Usually immune compromised persons can pick it up easily from another person. Don't share any razors with this coworker or reuse any personal items he may use. As long as he keeps taking his medicine and doesn't share personal items, you will be fine.

Avoid Contact: MRSA is spread by contact. Get MRSA by touching another person's skin with MRSATouching objects that have bacteria.weak immune systems in hospitals, nursing homes,and other health care centers. Community acquired MRSA increasing.Populations that share close quarters or have more skin-to-skin contact spread it. Examples are team athletes, military recruits, and prison inmates.Affecting younger ages