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