According to a published report in the Washington Post, a survey found that more than half of athletic trainers in the U.S. said they've treated an athlete for a skin infection caused by the antibiotic-resistant "superbug" called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria.
The story explains that while MRSA infections typically aren't fatal, they can cause skin abscesses that require surgical draining, and the infections are likely to be resistant to first-line antibiotics. In some of the scarier cases, MRSA can cause serious and potentially fatal problems such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections and flesh-eating disease.
The story explains that while MRSA infections typically aren't fatal, they can cause skin abscesses that require surgical draining, and the infections are likely to be resistant to first-line antibiotics. In some of the scarier cases, MRSA can cause serious and potentially fatal problems such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections and flesh-eating disease.
"This Web-based survey of 364 certified athletic trainers found that 53 percent said they'd treated MRSA skin infections in athletes. Of the infections treated: 86 percent were in males and 35 percent were in females; 65 percent were in football players; 21 percent in basketball players; and 20 percent were in wrestlers. The infections typically occurred in: the lower leg (38 percent); forearm (31 percent); and the knee (29 percent)."Read the entire story from the Washington Post to learn why athletes are at increased risk for MRSA infection and what trainers should look for in their athletes.
posted by Super Clean Gear at 6:03 PM
