While the number of antibiotic-resistant staph infections has risen at what doctors consider an “alarming” rate, those same doctors said parents should not be afraid of their child dying of it.

The number of cases of Methicillin resistant Staphyylococcus aureaus, commonly known as MRSA, has more than tripled in Oregon since 1996.

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A 46-year-old man from Federal Way, Washington died from an MRSA infection earlier this month.

Link: CDC on MRSAM

Link: State of Ore. MRSA resources

“We’re seeing it in patients with no real risk factors, who are otherwise healthy and that’s the part that is a little bit more alarming,” said Providence St. Vincent Dr. Cameron Cover.

Dr. Cover said instead of treating MRSA infections once a week five years ago, his office is now dealing with one a day. But he said the infection is rarely deadly.

“It’s important for parents to know about this and to educate themselves,” said Dr. Cover, “And at the same time the large majority of cases are not dangerous or even serious as long as they are followed by a physician.

Dr. Cover said early detection is the best way to keep the infection from getting serious. He recommends patients see a doctor immediately if they discover a boil on their skin.

“These are typically hot, red, painful and difficult to ignore,” said Dr. Cover.

Prevention, according to Dr. Cover, comes down to good hygiene.

“Handwashing, handwashing, handwashing,” said Dr. Cover.

Vancouver Public Schools sent a letter to inform parents at least one case of MRSA had been detected in an elementary school student. The letter also included facts about MRSA and prevention tips.

“It was kind of scary, we wash our hands twice as much now,” said Tanya Homstad, a Vancouver mother with two children in public school.

Homstad was glad the district informed her about the infection. It prompted her to do dig deeper into MRSA.

“Research on the internet, that’s what scared me because it shows the worst case scenario,” said Homstad.