The Pocono Record is reporting a rise in the number of children and adults with infected sores due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus, or MRSA. While MRSA is treatable, it is resistant to some antibiotics and if left untreated, the lesions or boils can spread to other parts of the body - and other people.

Dr. Lisa Esolen says, "Many patients don't seek treatment right away because the infection can look like an ordinary pimple or bug bite at the start. A lot of times patients initially shrug this off, but then it doesn't go away. Even family doctors may misdiagnose the problem as a spider bite."

Last week, Pennsylvania's Department of Health sent all public school districts a letter with recommendations for preventing the spread of skin infections, including MRSA. Dr. Esolen said that doctors typically see clusters of patients within families, athletic teams, and other situations where people are in close physical proximity. Hospitalization is sometimes required so patients can be treated with intravenous antibiotics.