Due to the close-contact nature of many sports, participants are at risk for acquiring certain infections from each other.

Some of the more common infections include community-acquired methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), which is a common cause of skin abscesses, herpes simplex skin infection (herpes gladiatorium), and Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (streptococcus pyogenes), which can cause anything from strep throat to necrotizing skin and soft-tissue infections.

Other transmissible diseases of note include viruses such as measles and hepatitis B.

So what can we do to limit transmission, or at least minimize chance of infection with exposure to such infectious agents?

The following measures can be employed to greatly reduce the spread of infection in school sports as well as in gymnasiums:

• Every participant should make sure his vaccinations are up to date, including MMR, hepatitis B series and tetanus.

• If a player has any open or draining wounds, cuts or abrasions, these must be kept covered until healed.

• Players should never share towels, uniforms, bars of soap, razors or other personal items since these are sources of transmission of bacteria and viruses.

• Antibacterial soaps should never be used for bathing; these soaps change the pH of the normal mantle of the skin, disrupt the body’s natural ability to fight off infectious agents and allow for colonization of the skin with pathogenic organisms. Acceptable soaps include Dove, Olay, Aveeno, Cetaphil and Basis — all of these maintain the normal acid mantle of the skin.

• Athletic and gymnasium equipment should be regularly wiped down with a bactericidal cleaner (after one athlete finishes and another begins).

• Other helpful measures that boost an athlete’s immune system include: drinking plenty of water, eliminating soft drinks and high-sugar content foods and snacks, following a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, getting plenty of rest and taking Vitamin C, 1 gram (1,000 milligrams) per day.

Following the above guidelines can greatly reduce the spread of infection in school sports by addressing issues on multiple levels; should an infection occur, please contact your health care provider for appropriate treatment.

By Rita Koshinski

For Mid-Valley Newspapers

Dr. Rita Koshinski is the medical director of infectious diseases for Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.