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MRSA (staph infection)
Skin infections occasionally become a problem in all sports. Some activities are more prone to them than others. Recent outbreaks of MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcal aureus) have occurred prompting the development of new guidelines from the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee to : help identify an outbreak, means to minimize it's spread and preventative measures to reduce it's occurrence. First and foremost, simple hygienic measures must be used to prevent any form of infection from developing. All athletes should shower after each practice or competing event. Workout gear or clothing needs to be washed at the end of each day or practice. Be sure to properly clean and disinfect all equipment that is in direct contact with an athlete's skin, i.e. mats, on a daily basis. Notify your parent and coach about any suspicious skin lesion and seek medical attention before practice or competing.
MRSA
Staphylococcal aureus is a common bacterium that can exist on the body and under special circumstances in the nose. Rarely does it invade the skin and cause infections. When it does, it's usually in the form of impetigo or folliculitis. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcal aureus is a form of this bacterium that has developed resistance to certain antibiotics. One reason for concern is that this organism, previously only thought to exist in hospitals or nursing homes, has now spread into the community.
Simple measures to prevent or minimize the risk of MRSA
Shower after all competition
Wash all work-out gear after practice or competition
Certain sports require cleaning equipment (Mats) before each practice or event
Use liquid soap, not bar soap
Refrain from cosmetic (whole body) shaving
Don't share towels or hygiene products
Notify parents and coach about any skin sores and have it evaluated by health care provider before returning to competition
Shower before using whirlpools or cold tubs
Refrain from using whirlpools or cold tubs with any open sores, scratches or scrapes
H1N1
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS, DRM, DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist), having clinical experience of over 20 years.
The following message given by him; I feel it makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still health and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Taimlu)
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap)
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't under estimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar the 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at using a Neti pot, but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton swab sipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, ect) as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat in the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.