A Collegeville woman said she knew her job was dangerous, but she never expected to run into this life-threatening danger -- methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

---

MRSA Surveys, Quiz | Video

---

She said she's disfigured, frustrated and she fears the people who gave her the MRSA infection may also give it to you, NBC 10 investigative reporter Harry Hairston said.

"Am I going to die? Am I going to live? What next? It's always a thinking game," said Carol Snyder.

The potentially deadly staph infection ravaged her face creating huge boils.

The outbreaks are somewhat under control now. But her life is forever changed.

"I've lost an eight-year relationship, don't go out in public. I don't like people seeing my face. I'm emotionally and mentally distraught," Snyder said.

Synder, a former prison guard at the Graterford State Correctional Institution, said she contracted the disease while working there in 2003.

A letter from her doctor supports her claim. In it, Dr. Jeffrey Darnall writes, "There is no question in my mind that Ms. Snyder acquired this bacterial strain while working at the prison."

"The prison is denying that she contracted it there," said Gerard Schrom, Snyder's attorney.

But Schrom said he believes his client came in contact with infected inmates.

"We have been in touch with at least 20 other people, prisoners, who allege that they are infected, as well," Schrom said.

Prison medical experts said there are infected inmates, but won't say how many.

Snyder says she avoids skin-to-skin contact with people in fear of spreading the disease.

But she and others, like state Rep. Ron Walters, are concerned about infected prisoners once they're released and back in the community around the rest of us.

"If we care about ourselves, then we better be sure that they come back as healthy as possible for my sake, for your sake, for my family's sake, for the community's sake," Walters said.

Walters is calling for action at the prison.

"Shut it down, thoroughly clean the place, check the people out -- every single inmate -- to make sure that they are as safe as possible," Walters said.

"MRSA has become a four-letter word right now, and it really shouldn't be because MRSA is an easily treatable infection," said Dr. Andrea McCoy, of Temple Hospital.

McCoy said most cases can be treated with antibiotics and prevented with good cleaning and hygiene.

"The bad news is that if you ignore it, it can become a much more aggressive infection that could require hospitalization," McCoy said.

Tracy Edwards, whose son has MRSA, said, "It was nasty. I didn't want to be next to him."

Edwards said doctors at the Philadelphia County jail ignored her son's early symptoms of MRSA. Now, his leg is seriously infected.

Jail officials said they treated Edwards' son immediately, but he wouldn't follow doctors' orders.

"I'm scared for my child. Yes I am, scared for my child, and I want help for my child," Edwards said.

And there's good reason for serious concern.

"More people are dying from MRSA than from AIDS," said attorney Angus Love.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report more than 18,000 people died from serious MRSA infections during hospital stays in 2005. That's compared to just over 16,000 AIDS-related deaths in the same year.

In the meantime, Snyder has filed a worker's compensation claim against Graterford for lost wages and health benefits. And she hopes her condition doesn't get worse.

"Am I going to die from this disease? Who can I help next, and get a better understanding of it?" she asked.

None of Hairston's my numerous phone calls to the attorney representing Graterford were returned.

Philadelphia County jail officials said they are giving their infected inmate around-the-clock care, and they said claims that he was neglected are untrue.

Again, most doctors say MRSA is easily treatable. Washing your hands can help prevent catching the disease.

Click here to see how much you know about MRSA by taking our surveys and quiz.