Wednesday, October 24, 2007

We Learn About MRSA

By David C. Brown



I instruct an introductory class in teaching all-levels physical education. This class is for college graduates trying to attain teaching certification in the state of Texas. During our class, one of the fellows who all ready is coaching and teaching in Louisiana, told the class about a knee injury his son had received during football. The knee was swollen and included pain to the touch. The coach continued to explain his plans to take him to the orthopedic doctor the next day. Coach's son is an outstanding athlete with collegiate playing aspirations, so Coach was understandably worried over the injury.

The other classmates and I expressed our concern and verbally stated we hoped the injury would not be serious and require surgery. I did not hear from Coach until the next week at class. We were anxious to learn about the coach's son's knee injury. We were shocked as Coach unfolded the story of what had happened to his son the very night of our last class!

When Coach had returned home, his son was running fever and was in a lot of pain. His knee was terribly swollen! Coach and his wife rushed their son to the emergency room at the local hospital. What we heard next was awful, but intensely interesting.

Coach's son did not have a torn ligament in his knee! He had contracted a MRSA infection! The official name of this infection is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and is caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria often called "staph" infection. It is one of the first germs to out smart all but the most powerful drugs. This MRSA infection can kill you. This is extremely serious!

The boy received the proper treatment and was told he should recover completely if he took proper care of this infection. The infection had localized in his knee and had caused signs which appeared as an actual knee injury. This is what happens with MRSA.

MRSA can quickly burrow into the body and can give live threatening infections in bones, joints, blood stream, surgical wounds, and heart and valves. The areas infected may look like a spider bite, a pimple or boil. Deadly, is it not?


You should know some warning signs of MRSA. Athletes and coaches actively involved in sports, from weight lifting to football, need to be aware of the risk factors.

When participating in contact sports, the bacteria can spread mercurially through cuts, abrasions and contact with other athletes' skin. Sharing such items as uniforms, razors, towels and other equipment has allowed the bacteria to spread. Unsanitary gym conditions are also a breeding ground for the bacteria Keep locker rooms, equipment and showers disinfected! Please Sanitize, Sanitize, Sanitize!

Thank you Coach for your openness and information about your son's MRSA infection. More players on the team have now been diagnosed with MRSA. If coaches are not vigilant, MRSA can infect an entire team. Use preventive measures by finding out the best ways to prevent MRSA and then taking the necessary action to prevent a breakout of this dangerous infection.
In my class, we are also fortunate to have a certified athletic trainer. During our MRSA discussion, she did a thorough job of teaching us about MRSA and what to do to prevent the bacteria from rampaging through a locker room as well as what to do if an athlete is already infected. Thanks for the help!


David C. Brown holds a Master of Education from Texas A@M University in College Station, Texas and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas. You may read David's blogs at http://www.sportsjock.mobi and http://musclebuilding-supplements.com


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