ADVICE on reducing the risk of hospital infections is being given to out- patients at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

It includes precautions to stop the potentially lethal MRSA superbug.

Fatal in rare cases, its full name is Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The infection is resistant to common antibiotics as well as some rarer antibiotics.

A series of leaflets about the nature of infections, what they do, how they spread and how they can be avoided and treated, are available.

Infection Control nurse, Louise Hodgson said: "With the increase in health care related illnesses, it is essential to promote good practices with staff and the public.

"It is hoped this will have a marked effect on both awareness and health care infection reduction."

Patients can pick up the leaflets from departments in the hospital when they visit as an outpatient.

Mrs Hodgson said that about 30% of the population carried the MRSA infection on their skin.

It can become a problem when people go into hospital as they have various tubes in veins and wounds, which allow the bacteria enter the body.

The infirmary has a series of measures under way to tackle the spread of the infection.

Work has been started to increase the use of antibacterial alcohol gel beside patients' beds.

* MRSA is a bacterium (germ) called Staphylococcus aureus which is resistant to some antibiotics.

* It is more easily carried on broken skin such as rashes, cuts and sores.

* Hospital patients have an increased risk of infection via drips and catheters.

* It can be spread from person to person, carried on the hands. Careful hand washing is very important for staff, patients and visitors.

* Patients may have MRSA on their skin when they come into hospital or may pick it up during their stay.

What you can do to help reduce the risk of hospital infection:

* Take soap and a clean flannel with you to hospital.

* Wipe hands with moist hand wipes before eating and drinking.

* Always wash your hands after using the toilet.

* Ask all visitors to cover any open wounds with a dressing.

* Urge visitors to wash their hands before and after visiting.

* Report unclean bathrooms or toilets to the nurse in charge of the ward.