Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was responsible for an estimated 94,000 life-threatening infections and nearly 19,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2005, reports WebMD. In the same year, roughly 16,000 Americans died from AIDS.

The number of deaths from MRSA doubled in just five years.

Most MRSA infections can be traced to a hospital or other healthcare setting, but about 15% of MRSA infections occur in people outside of healthcare settings. People over age 65 are four times more likely to get a MRSA infection.

"Hand washing is one of the most important ways to decrease the spread of MRSA in hospitals, but hand washing compliance rates [among health care professionals] are rarely 100%," says infectious disease specialist Elizabeth A. Bancroft, MD. "One thing a patient can do to reduce their risk is make sure everyone they come into contact with washes their hands or uses an alcohol hand rub."

For every 1,000 patients treated in U.S. hospitals, 46 cases of MRSA now occur.

Dr. Bancroft says that rates of invasive MRSA are likely to climb even higher.

Vital Oxide, a new, safe, environmentally friendly disinfectant, kills MRSA as well as mold, mildew, Norovirus, Legionella pneumophila, and E coli. It's also great for odor control.

See MRSA: The Super Staph Infection to learn more.