| Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is | | | | MRSA ruled out as a possibility. Diagnosis of MRSA |
| quickly developing into a widespread threat to | | | | requires a culture of the infected area. The culture is |
| athletes in all sports as well as the general population. | | | | then sent to a lab that will determine if the infection |
| MRSA is a very serious infection that was once | | | | is an antibiotic resistant strain such as MRSA. Many |
| confined mostly to hospitals. The infection has | | | | physicians also advocate a sterile incision into the |
| recently crossed over to the general population, and | | | | wound to allow proper drainage of pus. The wound |
| is now infecting athletes of all sports and | | | | should then be covered and treated with special |
| levels.Bacterial infections in athletes are very common | | | | antibiotic ointments and observed during the healing |
| and can greatly hamper their ability to compete and | | | | process for worsening or spread to surrounding |
| perform at their best, but these infections are usually | | | | tissues. Wound dressings should be kept clean and |
| easily treated with antibiotics such as penicillin, | | | | dry and changed twice a day. Hospitalization may be |
| amoxicillin, methicillin, and oxacillin. MRSA is a | | | | required in some cases. Return to play should not be |
| staphylococcal bacterial infection (commonly known | | | | considered until the wound is healed of all infection |
| as a staph infection) that has become resistant to | | | | and the athlete is no longer at risk of spreading the |
| many of these antibiotics that doctors commonly | | | | bacteria to teammates and opponents.To prevent |
| prescribe to treat bacterial infections. This creates a | | | | the spread of MRSA and staphylococcal infections |
| very serious problem for both the athlete and the | | | | among athletes follow these guidelines:DO NOT:Share |
| doctors that provide their medical care. There are a | | | | shower towels Share razors and equipment Share |
| few high-powered new antibiotics that currently exist | | | | deodorant Share balms or ointments among |
| to treat this infection, but if the bacterial strain | | | | teammates or friends Share blankets or pillows at |
| mutates further and builds up resistance to these | | | | tournaments or on the bus Lay on the floor of the |
| drugs too, doctor's treatment options will be further | | | | locker room Use community towels on the sidelines |
| limited.The spread and occurrences of MRSA in | | | | to be shared among athletes, including ice buckets |
| athletics is increasing. Prior to 2002, resistant staph | | | | and wet towels to cool athletes (use single use |
| infections were virtually unheard of in such a healthy | | | | disposable towels instead or do not directly touch |
| population. Many of the first athletic cases were | | | | athletes) Use whirlpools and other common use |
| reported in football. Now football players from the | | | | medical equipment when infected Share beds with |
| high school level to the pros have had outbreaks. | | | | friends or teammates without changing the linens first |
| Many collegiate teams, including national championship | | | | DO: |
| caliber programs, have also had major problems | | | | Clean equipment, weights, mats, and work-out |
| controlling the spread of this infection. MRSA is usually | | | | machines after each individual use, not each session |
| spread by direct person-to-person contact. MRSA is | | | | Maintain a clean locker room, including showers, floors, |
| commonly found on the skin or in the nose of | | | | and carpets Occasionally wipe down and disinfect |
| healthy people. Having the bacteria present in or on | | | | meeting rooms, desks, and common areas Encourage |
| your body does not mean that you will develop | | | | showering and hair washing with hot water and |
| infection, and many people live healthy lives without | | | | antibacterial soaps and shampoos after every |
| ever developing an infection. Sports such as football, | | | | practice, competition, or workout Frequently wash |
| wrestling, and soccer are among the highest risk to | | | | uniforms, practice gear (including pads and sports |
| spread the infection due to the constant bumping, | | | | braces), and towels in hot water. Add bleach if you |
| hitting, and contact with teammates and opponents. | | | | can without ruining your clothes Avoid close direct |
| These sports generally also have exposed areas of | | | | contact with infected individuals Finish all antibiotics |
| skin and open wounds when practicing or competing | | | | prescribed to you by your doctor, unless your doctor |
| that may come in close contact with other athletes. | | | | tells you otherwise Use gloves when handling, |
| MRSA requires contact to be spread from person to | | | | washing, or moving bloody or sweaty equipment, |
| person and is not spread through the air. However, it | | | | jerseys, or bandages. Throw away used bandages |
| can be spread by direct contact with contaminated | | | | and bloody gauze in red biohazard bags Train |
| towels or equipment that athletes may share or use | | | | athletes, coaches, and medical staff to recognize |
| during workouts. Once an infection develops in an | | | | potentially infected wounds and administer basic first |
| athlete it can quickly spread throughout a team and | | | | aid treatment for wounds Keep all wounds (even |
| to opponents.Many MRSA infections start as a small | | | | small abrasions, turf burns, or scratches) bandaged |
| skin lesion or pimple, but the bacteria can also travel | | | | and covered with an antibiotic ointment when |
| through the blood stream and settle into internal | | | | participating. If a wound can not be adequately |
| tissues, such as bone. Skin infections often occur in | | | | covered consider excluding the athlete from |
| the area of a previous wound that allowed the | | | | participation Report any skin abnormalities, lesions, or |
| bacteria to enter the body. Wounds such as turf | | | | wounds to your doctor or certified athletic trainer |
| burn abrasions, fingernail scratches, or even a small | | | | Place and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers in athletic |
| open blister or pimple could allow the infection to | | | | facilities and in medical bags Have medical staff and |
| enter and manifest. When infected, the first | | | | coaches wash with soap and water, or use an |
| symptoms may yield a small painful red swollen spider | | | | alcohol-based hand sanitizer, after contact with each |
| bite or boil looking skin lesion. If left untreated the | | | | patient/ athlete that is bleeding or very sweatyMRSA |
| infection will spread to surrounding tissues creating a | | | | is a serious problem that has crossed over from the |
| pus filled abscess. Without treatment the infection | | | | hospital setting to the general population and athletics. |
| then may advance and spread to the bloodstream | | | | Though it is a threat to athletes and the people they |
| making it harder to treat and control. Advanced | | | | come in contact with, it can often be prevented. By |
| infection symptoms may include shortness of breath, | | | | being aware of the signs and symptoms of MRSA, |
| chills, and fever and ultimately could result in death if | | | | using good hygiene, and carefully following the |
| not properly treated.Treatment for MRSA requires | | | | prevention steps listed above many MRSA cases can |
| proper diagnosis. Any infection that does not heal in a | | | | be avoided, allowing athletes to continue their training |
| timely matter, does not respond to antibiotic therapy, | | | | routines and to perform at their top level.Bryan S. |
| or that is draining pus or other fluid should have | | | | |