Staph and Community Acquired MRSA Infections in Athletes
Are Athletes at Higher Risk of Getting Staph Infections?
By Elizabeth Quinn, About.com Guide
Updated October 29, 2008
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
Staphylococcus aureus, also called staph, is an infection caused by bacteria that are commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Occasionally, normal staph can cause a minor skin infection such as a boil or pimples if the bacteria enter the skin through an open cut or sore. Typically, these infections are easily treated. In some instances, though, staph infections are more serious and need to be treated with antibiotics.
What Is MRSA?
Some staph infections become increasingly resistant to antibiotics and are more difficult to treat. MRSA is a type of staph infection (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) that is resistant to first line antibiotics such as methicillin, amoxicillin, and penicillin. The original MRSA infections emerged in the 1960s and were associated with exposure in the health care setting, particularly in hospitals, and are referred to as hospital-acquired MRSA or "HA-MRSA." This type of MRSA infection is difficult to treat because it is not susceptible to stronger antibiotics such as clindamycin or Bactrim.
What Is Community Acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA)?
During the 1990s, MRSA infections started showing up in individuals outside of the health care community. These infections are called community-acquired MRSA or "CA-MRSA." It is the community acquired MRSA that has been recently making headline news and has impacted young, healthy individuals and some high school or college athletes.
What Are the Symptoms of MRSA?
CA-MRSA and other staph skin infections begin with classic signs of infection: a red, swollen, and painful area on the skin that is often warm to the touch. As the infection becomes more serious, symptoms include:
- A skin abscess
- Drainage of pus or other fluids from the site
- Fever
- Chills
- Rash
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Headache
Athletes and CA-MRSA
Direct physical (skin-to-skin) contact with infected people. Indirect contact by touching objects contaminated by the infected person's skin (towels, equipment, workout areas, sports equipment).
How Is MRSA Treated?
Because CA-MRSA is resistant to many common antibiotics, such as penicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalosporins, a stronger antibiotic, such as clindamycin or Bactrim, is prescribed. If the infection is more severe, other treatments may be provided in the hospital, including intravenous medication.
Tips for Athletes - Prevent MRSA Infection
Practicing good personal hygiene is the best way to avoid getting a CA-MRSA infection. Other recommendations for athletes include:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
- Keep any wounds, cuts or abrasions clean and covered
- If a wound cannot be covered adequately, a player should not participate in contact sports
- Avoid contact with other athletes who have wounds
- Use pump soap dispensers with antibacterial soap and avoid bar soap
- Don't share towels, personal items, clothing or equipment
- Clean gym or sports equipment with disinfectant sprays before and after use
- Report any cuts or abrasions to the coach or team trainer and have them monitored as they help
- Pay attention to signs and symptoms of infection as listed above and see a doctor if healing is delayed
Sources: CDC. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections among competitive sports participants, Colorado, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Los Angeles County, 2000-2003. MMWR 2003; 52(33); 793-795.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CA-MRSA Information for Clinicians. October 27, 2005. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) . October 27, 2005.
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/injuryprevention/a/MRSA_Staph.htm
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