Staph: How soon is safe to go back to training?

**Hedgehogey** · Posted On: 10/12/2010 4:54pm

Exactly what it says. I've been sidelined for the past three weeks or so with staph. Did not respond to bactrin but did respond to an IV dose of, then prescrip of clindamycin. Currently about 2x2 inches on my left calf. If I were to wrap it up in three layers of bandaging then throw a pair of clean shinguards over it, would I be a risk to my training partners? Gi only, obviously.

I did ask my doctor about this, but they're not grapplers, so I don't think she understood the degree of contact involved.

**budochic** · Posted On: 10/12/2010 7:00pm

Generally you would be advised to avoid contact sports and gyms until the wound is fully healed. When I caught staph on my hand I waited until the wound had been healed for a week before returning to training, but I am a nurse and therefore was probably being overcautious/paranoid.

***battlefields*** · Posted On: 10/12/2010 8:01pm

I'd use my own discretion but I'd also think how much of a prick I'd feel like if someone I rolled with caught it from me if I went back too early.

**ChenPengFi** · Posted On: 10/12/2010 9:06pm

From the CDC, re: mrsa and sports infection risks.

. Even in sports with less direct contact, protective clothing can be hot and might chafe skin, resulting in abrasions and lacerations. Fencers reported developing skin rashes frequently under protective clothing. Second, some sports for which MRSA infections have been reported involve frequent physical contact among players (e.g., football and wrestling). S. aureus and other skin flora can be transmitted easily from person to person with direct contact.

(my bold)

Prudence would dictate you wait until well after any visible symptoms.
Are your coach and training partners aware of what you are contemplating?

**Hedgehogey** · Posted On: 10/13/2010 1:39am

Yes. One of them told me it's fine, the other no.

Is there anything that tells me whether transmission is effected by the infection being covered (the above example seems to be about transmission through shared protective clothing)?

**Hedgehogey** · Posted On: 10/13/2010 2:48am

Oh and uh...Sex?

Yes, I was too embarrassed to ask.

**ChenPengFi** · Posted On: 10/13/2010 3:08am

Truthfully my impression was the article i quoted made a few unsupported assumptions, (in particular the one you picked up on) and that gave me pause in posting the quote, however there was,

Although none of the fencers reported sharing equipment or clothing items, their use of shared sensor wires was not assessed specifically.

(my bold)
which seems more a "crossing of t's" if you will than an actual admission of missing a likely vector and as such i left it out.
I do believe my feelings about prudence are justified, due to the gi chafing, sweat and close contact inherent in BJJ and those types of issues were the thrust of the evidence presented in that article, imo.
I also hope you realize that some of your training partners could be more (or less) susceptible to a life threatening infection than you are and introducing even a small amount of an admittedly resistant strain to your school seems selfish at best.

**budochic** · Posted On: 10/13/2010 1:05pm

It is probably worth noting that studies have shown that staph can live on surfaces and equipment for up to 3 months. If it already hasnt been done your mats and equipment at the dojo should probably be washed with a disinfectant. At the hospital we use a bleach and water solution.

**antman** · Posted On: 10/13/2010 3:16pm

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/108972-overview

Athletes with mild cases of CA-MRSA infections may be allowed to return to athletic participation once an appropriate antibiotic treatment has commenced and the risk of transmission to other athletes has been significantly reduced or eliminated. Abrasions should be covered with a protective covering, and the athlete should be reevaluated daily for signs or symptoms of recurrence or worsening of the infection. The athlete and teammates should also be counseled about the need to avoid sharing towels, razors, or other personal items. Training staff should ensure proper disinfection of equipment and surfaces with which the infected athlete may come in contact, such as training tables, protective equipment, or wrestling mats, among other items.

That being said I'd wait probably a bit longer than you would like to.

**antman** · Posted On: 10/13/2010 3:23pm

This one says until fully healed www.nwcaonline.com/skininfection.ppt slide 29

Should be kept out of competition until wounds are completely healed
Recurrent infections can be prevented by chlorhexidine body washes daily for three days and then three times per week.
Nasal carriage of MRSA can be treated with intranasal povidine-iodine or mupirocin.