After noticing the “skin infection procedure” on page 6 of the 2007-08 NF rulebook, I was unaware of the full story surrounding dangerous staph infections. When I went to the National Federation website, I discovered the following article written by Linda Stanton, ATC. As officials, it is important for us to understand the symptoms and modes of transmission of drug resistant staff infections for our own personal safety. In addition, this information further emphasizes that we expect players to treat and cover scratches whether or not blood can be seen.
from 2007 Fall Coaches’ Quarterly Newsletter:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Linda Stanton, ATC, works for HealthSouth, coordinating sports medicine outreach programs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She has been a certified athletic trainer for more than 20 years and coached field hockey for two years at Kean College in New Jersey.
MRSA: How does it relate to athletics? (Fall 2007 NFHS Coaches’ Quarterly)
by Linda E. Stanton, ATC
What is MRSA?
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is an advanced strain of a “staph” infection that is resistant to antibiotics such as methicilin, penicillin, amoxicillin and oxacillin. Some people refer to it as the “Super Bug.”
There are two types of MRSA:
1. HA-MRSA, which is hospital associated, usually affects individuals with a compromised immune system.
2. CA-MRSA is community associated and can affect healthy individuals. Athletes, coaches and athletic trainers can become infected and, therefore, prevention should be a key focus.
How Do You Get it and What is the Treatment?
Common bacteria live on our skin. In fact, many people are carriers of “staph” but don’t know it because they never have a staph infection. The problem starts when this “staph” bacteria find their way into the body through an open wound. This occurs either through direct contact of a person who is a carrier or by touching an object that has the bacteria.
The site of the wound becomes infected, showing signs of swelling, warmth, redness, puss-like pimple or boil. This time, immediate referral to your doctor is vital. Here, the infected area may be drained, a sample will be taken to be cultured and further evaluated. The doctor then may prescribe a course of antibiotics such as bactrim and vancocin. As with all antibiotics, it is important that individuals complete all medications prescribed by their doctor and also should not resume practice/competition until the lesions are adequately healed.
“Prevention” – What Steps Can I Take Now?
- Wash your hands often using a antimicrobial, antiseptic skin cleanser such as Hibiclens® (sing “Happy Birthday twice” or the CDC recommends saying the alphabet once).
- Shower immediately after every practice and game.
- Wash athletic clothes daily in hot water and dry on a hot setting.
- Cover all open cuts prior to practice and game activity.
- Do not share items such as clothing, towels, soap, razors, water bottles.
Additional steps that can and should be taken
in the athletic setting:
- Use an antiseptic, antibacterial solution to routinely wipe down athletic equipment such as gymnastics and wrestling mats, and headgear of any type.
- Wipe down treatment tables and weight equipment between athletes.
- Wear barriers such as non-latex gloves when treating open wounds.
Conclusion
Germs are all around us and simply put “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure.” So, reinforce to your athletes and athletic department that everyone should practice good daily hygiene!
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on November 25, 2007 at 7:31 pm and is filed under Commentary.
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Concern About Resistant Staph Infections
After noticing the “skin infection procedure” on page 6 of the 2007-08 NF rulebook, I was unaware of the full story surrounding dangerous staph infections. When I went to the National Federation website, I discovered the following article written by Linda Stanton, ATC. As officials, it is important for us to understand the symptoms and modes of transmission of drug resistant staff infections for our own personal safety. In addition, this information further emphasizes that we expect players to treat and cover scratches whether or not blood can be seen.
from 2007 Fall Coaches’ Quarterly Newsletter:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Linda Stanton, ATC, works for HealthSouth, coordinating sports medicine outreach programs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She has been a certified athletic trainer for more than 20 years and coached field hockey for two years at Kean College in New Jersey.
MRSA: How does it relate to athletics? (Fall 2007 NFHS Coaches’ Quarterly)
by Linda E. Stanton, ATC
What is MRSA?
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is an advanced strain of a “staph” infection that is resistant to antibiotics such as methicilin, penicillin, amoxicillin and oxacillin. Some people refer to it as the “Super Bug.”
There are two types of MRSA:
1. HA-MRSA, which is hospital associated, usually affects individuals with a compromised immune system.
2. CA-MRSA is community associated and can affect healthy individuals. Athletes, coaches and athletic trainers can become infected and, therefore, prevention should be a key focus.
How Do You Get it and What is the Treatment?
Common bacteria live on our skin. In fact, many people are carriers of “staph” but don’t know it because they never have a staph infection. The problem starts when this “staph” bacteria find their way into the body through an open wound. This occurs either through direct contact of a person who is a carrier or by touching an object that has the bacteria.
The site of the wound becomes infected, showing signs of swelling, warmth, redness, puss-like pimple or boil. This time, immediate referral to your doctor is vital. Here, the infected area may be drained, a sample will be taken to be cultured and further evaluated. The doctor then may prescribe a course of antibiotics such as bactrim and vancocin. As with all antibiotics, it is important that individuals complete all medications prescribed by their doctor and also should not resume practice/competition until the lesions are adequately healed.
“Prevention” – What Steps Can I Take Now?
- Wash your hands often using a antimicrobial, antiseptic skin cleanser such as Hibiclens® (sing “Happy Birthday twice” or the CDC recommends saying the alphabet once).
- Shower immediately after every practice and game.
- Wash athletic clothes daily in hot water and dry on a hot setting.
- Cover all open cuts prior to practice and game activity.
- Do not share items such as clothing, towels, soap, razors, water bottles.
Additional steps that can and should be taken
in the athletic setting:
- Use an antiseptic, antibacterial solution to routinely wipe down athletic equipment such as gymnastics and wrestling mats, and headgear of any type.
- Wipe down treatment tables and weight equipment between athletes.
- Wear barriers such as non-latex gloves when treating open wounds.
Conclusion
Germs are all around us and simply put “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure.” So, reinforce to your athletes and athletic department that everyone should practice good daily hygiene!
Resources:
Overview: HA-MRSA CDC Infection Control in Healthcare http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa.html.
Understanding MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) http://www.webmd.com/content/article/113/110688.htm.
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/staphlococcus_aureus/methicilin_resistant/f…
Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia: MRSA infection http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007261.htm.
Understanding MRSA – Prevention
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/113/110694.htm.
Understanding MRSA – Detection and Treatment http://www.webmd.com/content/article/113/110692.htm.
MRSA: Protecting Yourself against Locker Room Infection http://www.athleticperformance.com/spj/article.php?id=121.
Hibiclens® www.hibigeebies.com/sports.
This entry was posted on November 25, 2007 at 7:31 pm and is filed under Commentary. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.