Information for Athletic Centers

What is Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA?

Staphylococcus aureus, often called "staph" is a type of bacteria commonly found on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 30% of people have staph in their noses and do not have any symptoms. MRSA which stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus is staph that is resistant to commonly used antibiotics such as penicillins and currently available cephalosporins. In the past, MRSA was found only in healthcare facilities. More recently, MRSA has emerged in the community and can cause infections in otherwise healthy people.

What types of infections does MRSA cause?

In the community, most MRSA infections are minor skin infections that may appear as sores or boils that often are red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. These skin infections commonly occur either at sites of breaks in the skin such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair (for example, the back of the neck, groin, buttock, armpit, or beard area of men).

Almost all MRSA skin infections can effectively be treated in the outpatient setting by drainage of the pus by a healthcare provider with or without antibiotics. More serious infections such as pneumonia, blood or bone infections are rare in healthy people who get MRSA skin infections.

How is MRSA spread?

Like other causes of skin infections in athletes, MRSA is usually spread from person to person through direct skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces (e.g., towels, used bandages, weight-training equipment surfaces) that have touched a person's infection.

MRSA might spread more easily among athletes because they:

Which athletes are most at-risk for MRSA skin infections?

Skin infections including MRSA have been reported mostly in high-physical-contact sports such as wrestling, football, and rugby. However, MRSA infections have been reported among athletes in other sports such as soccer, basketball, field hockey, volleyball, rowing, martial arts, fencing, and baseball.

Even though little physical contact occurs in some sports during participation, skin contact or activities that may lead to spread of MRSA skin infections may take place before or after participation such as in the locker room. Therefore, anyone participating in organized or recreational sports should be aware of the signs of possible skin infections and follow prevention measures.

Advice for Athletes and Parents

How do I protect myself from getting MRSA and other skin infections?

Practice good personal hygiene

Take care of your skin

Do not share items that come into contact with your skin

What should I do if I think I have an MRSA infection?

I have an MRSA skin infection. How do I prevent spreading it to others?

Advice for Schools, Athletic Directors, and Coaches

How should athletic facilities be managed when an MRSA infection occurs?

How should sports equipment be cleaned?

Should athletes with MRSA skin infections be excluded from participation?

What should I do if I notice an athlete with a possible infection?

How can I improve hygiene among my athletes?

Who should be contacted if an outbreak occurs?

Advice for Team Healthcare Providers