Dermatologists urge athletes, coaches and trainers to follow simple steps
to prevent further spreading of MRSA
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly referred to as MRSA, is a type of staph that causes infections resistant to a class of common antibiotics that includes methicillin, penicillin, amoxicillin and oxacillin. While MRSA infections were traditionally associated with extended hospital stays, they are now becoming more common in everyday life. In fact, this newer form of MRSA known as community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) can affect otherwise healthy individuals without any recent healthcare-related issues -- raising fears that the infection can strike anyone, anywhere or anytime.
Now, dermatologists are finding that MRSA infections have become increasingly common among people participating in sports, including high school and college athletes. In the report entitled, "Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and athletes," published online in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, dermatologist Brian B. Adams, MD, MPH, FAAD, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Cincinnati and director of dermatology at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, in Cincinnati, addressed the occurrence of MRSA in athletes and recommendations for preventing the further spread of the infection.
"Our review found that physical contact, shared facilities and equipment, and poor hygiene all contribute to MRSA among athletes," said Dr. Adams. "With slight modifications in these areas, individuals participating in contact and non-contact sports can reduce their risk of contracting MRSA."
Dr. Adams noted that CA-MRSA most frequently appears as an infection of
the skin and underlying tissues, and looks like a pimple, boil or abscess,
sometimes with draining fluid or pus. These lesions may be red, swollen,
warm and tender to touch. The most wi
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| SOURCE American Academy of Dermatology Copyright©2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved |