Superbug threatens athletes
What’s in your child’s equipment bag? Cleats, perhaps uniforms, T-shirts, shorts, water bottles, candy and an iPod, if they are typical high school athletes. It’s what else that may be lurking in their bags, football/ hockey pads and other equipment that is increasing the risk to them and others, and closing some schools throughout the state that has parents and school officials worried.
The MRSA — methicillin-resistant staphyloccus aureus — staph infection has killed a Virginia student in the past week and has raised awareness and concern over the common bacteria and infection. MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that causes skin infections that are resistant to certain antibiotics. Typically appearing as a spider bite, pimple, boil or swollen area, the infection spreads quickly throughout other parts of the body, and can be spread to other individuals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained that the bacteria are colonized in the nose of approximately 25-30 percent of the population, but does not usually cause any infections. They added that staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the U.S. Infections that are not caught early and treated can result in blood infections, serious skin infections and pneumonia.
Stephanie Simmons, MPA Director/Health Officer at the Lapeer County Health Department, reports that several schools have called with questions regarding the MRSA outbreaks.
“MRSA usually spreads from person to person through hands or close skin-to-skin contact,” Simmons said. “Drainage from an infected wound can spread MRSA to other parts of the body or to other persons. We are all at risk for getting an MRSA infection, because MRSA can live on the skin and survive on some surfaces for prolonged periods of time.”
Athletes are at greater risk because of their skin-to-skin contact with teammates, equipment, locker rooms, shared towels, etc. Poor personal hygiene, open cuts or scrapes, hospitalizations, IVs, surgery and other medical procedures can put others at risk.
Simmons advises that washing of hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is among the top steps to prevent the spread of MRSA. She also advises not sharing towels, bar soap, wash cloths, razors or clothing. Seek medical attention at the first sign of symptoms and keep any wounds covered with dry bandages.
Schools have stringent cleaning policies, especially in weight rooms, on wrestling mats, in equipment rooms and other places where sharing can spread the MRSA bacteria. Several schools in the state closed this week because of cases of MRSA, and football was cancelled at another so school officials could properly disinfect to prevent further spread. A football player spent three days in the hospital battling an infection this week, while another was hospitalized for several weeks during last year’s wrestling season. College athletes are just as prone, with several missing a good portion of their wrestling season last year because of the threat they posed to others.
Prevention and knowledge about MRSA are the public’s best weapon. Empty those equipment and gym bags often, exposing the insides to sunlight and soapy water, and keep an eye on your athletes for early signs and symptoms.
To learn more about MRSA, visit the Lapeer County Health Department’s website at http://lchd.lapeer.org and click on MRSA. The CDC’s page can be accessed at www.cdc.gov.

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