Community-acquired MRSA, a form of staph infection, appears as boils, pimples, skin infections and infected wounds.

If this staph strain is caught early, it can be treated easily by draining the wound.

Eddie Hedrick, Missouri's Emerging Infections Coordinator, says the problem is doctors don't identify it as a staph infection.

Hedrick urges proper hygiene to prevent catching the strain, and making sure to follow up with doctors as soon as possible.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Brandon Smith.