Athletes contracting MRSA infections

There's a new front in the battle against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Already a well-known issue in hospitals, MRSA infections are now popping up with alarming frequency among professional, college and high school athletes. Staph infections have been a problem for a while, given the extent to which athletes share lockers, weight training benches and whirlpools, but the tenacious and dangerous nature of MRSA has raised the stakes substantially. So pronounced is the MRSA problem that the Centers for Disease Control has begun working with sports groups like the NFL and NCAA to educate athletes on MRSA-fighting measures such as frequent hand-washing and proper care for skin lesions and cuts.

Sports teams are fighting back with their own infection control measures, too. After five Redskins players got MRSA infections this summer, team managers sterilized practice facilities, replaced old carpeting, substituted individual stools for shared benches and removed an old whirlpool bath. In the last six months, no more players have been infected.

For more information on this trend:
- read this Associated Press piece

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