Longitudinal study of genital infection by herpes simplex virus type 1 in Western Scotland over 15 years.

colonised with MRSA is relatively small. Carriage of MRSA can, however, be expected in patients who have chronic conditions or who have had recent admissions to hospital. MRSA in the community seems to be a consequence of a “spill over” of an uncontrolled hospital epidemic, and the few isolates found in the community are classic hospital strains. It continues to be safe to treat community acquired S aureus infections in England with conventional antistaphylococcal agents effective against methicillin sensitive strains, and third line antibiotics should be considered only when typical risk factors can be ascertained.