MRSA is the acronym for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is a type of staph infection that is resistant to antibiotics such as methicillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Because MRSA can be transferred via person to person contact, some settings are more conducive to the transmission of MRSA, including schools, dormitories, military barracks, households, correctional facilities and day care centers.