Athletes & MRSA

   Flip through the national news and it won’t take long to find a story about the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA for short, that is quickly becoming a world health concern.
   A recent study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that more people in the United States die from MRSA than from any other infection tracked by the CDC, including AIDS.
   Since this bacteria is easily spread through physical contact, athletes who share locker rooms are particularly susceptible.
   Below are some basics about this serious public health problem, and how athletes can reduce their risk of contact with it.
   More detailed information is available at www.cdc.gov.

Q: What is Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA?

A: Staphylococcus aureus, often called “staph” is a type of bacteria commonly found on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 30% of people have staph in their noses and do not have any symptoms. MRSA which stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus is staph that is resistant to commonly used antibiotics such as penicillin. In the past, MRSA was found only in healthcare facilities and caused infection in people who were sick. More recently, MRSA has emerged in communities and can cause infections in otherwise healthy people.

Q: What types of infections does MRSA cause?

A: Most MRSA infections are minor skin infections that may appear as sores or boils that often are red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. These skin infections commonly occur either at sites of breaks in the skin such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair. Almost all MRSA skin infections can effectively be treated in the outpatient setting by drainage of the pus by a healthcare provider with or without antibiotics. More serious infections such as pneumonia, blood or bone infections are rare in healthy people who get MRSA skin infections.

Q: How is MRSA spread among athletes?

A: Like other causes of skin infections in athletes, MRSA is usually spread from person to person through direct skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces that have touched a person’s infection. MRSA might spread more easily among athletes for several reasons. One, they have repeated skin-to-skin contact. They also get breaks in the skin such as cuts and abrasions that if left uncovered allow staph and MRSA to enter and cause infection. Athletes often share items and surfaces that come into direct skin contact. This can include towels, used bandages, or weight training equipment surfaces.

Q: As an athlete, how do I protect myself from getting MRSA and other skin infections?

A: Practice good personal hygiene. Wash hands frequently preferably with liquid soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. Do so especially before and after playing sports and shared activities such as weight-training equipment. Athletes should shower immediately after exercise and avoid sharing bar soap and towels. Uniforms and clothing should be washed after each use and dried completely in a dryer.
   Take care of your skin. Wear protective clothing or gear designed to prevent skin abrasions or cuts. Until they heal, cover skin abrasions and cuts with clean dry bandages or other dressings recommended by your athletic trainer or healthcare provider, and follow their instructions for when and how often to change your bandages and dressings.
   Don’t share items that come into contact with your skin. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels and razors that contact your bare skin. Do not share ointments that are applied by placing your hands into an open-container. Use a barrier, such as clothing or a towel, between your skin and shared equipment like weight-training and steam-room benches.

Q: What should I do if I think I have an MRSA infection?

A: Get medical care for your infection. Do not try to treat it yourself. Do not pick or pop the sore. Cover possible infections with clean dry bandages until you can be seen by a healthcare provider.

To learn more about MRSA and safe health practices during exercise, talk to your healthcare provider.