| I instruct an introductory class in teaching all-levels | | | | proper care of this infection. The infection had |
| physical education. This class is for college | | | | localized in his knee and had caused signs which |
| graduates trying to attain teaching certification in | | | | appeared as an actual knee injury. This is what |
| the state of Texas. During our class, one of the | | | | happens with MRSA. |
| fellows who all ready is coaching and teaching in | | | | MRSA can quickly burrow into the body and can |
| Louisiana, told the class about a knee injury his | | | | give live threatening infections in bones, joints, |
| son had received during football. The knee was | | | | blood stream, surgical wounds, and heart and |
| swollen and included pain to the touch. The coach | | | | valves. The areas infected may look like a spider |
| continued to explain his plans to take him to the | | | | bite, a pimple or boil. Deadly, is it not? |
| orthopedic doctor the next day. Coach's son is an | | | | You should know some warning signs of MRSA. |
| outstanding athlete with collegiate playing | | | | Athletes and coaches actively involved in sports, |
| aspirations, so Coach was understandably worried | | | | from weight lifting to football, need to be aware |
| over the injury. | | | | of the risk factors. |
| The other classmates and I expressed our | | | | When participating in contact sports, the bacteria |
| concern and verbally stated we hoped the injury | | | | can spread mercurially through cuts, abrasions and |
| would not be serious and require surgery. I did not | | | | contact with other athletes' skin. Sharing such |
| hear from Coach until the next week at class. We | | | | items as uniforms, razors, towels and other |
| were anxious to learn about the coach's son's | | | | equipment has allowed the bacteria to spread. |
| knee injury. We were shocked as Coach unfolded | | | | Unsanitary gym conditions are also a breeding |
| the story of what had happened to his son the | | | | ground for the bacteria Keep locker rooms, |
| very night of our last class! | | | | equipment and showers disinfected! Please |
| When Coach had returned home, his son was | | | | Sanitize, Sanitize, Sanitize! |
| running fever and was in a lot of pain. His knee | | | | Thank you Coach for your openness and |
| was terribly swollen! Coach and his wife rushed | | | | information about your son's MRSA infection. More |
| their son to the emergency room at the local | | | | players on the team have now been diagnosed |
| hospital. What we heard next was awful, but | | | | with MRSA. If coaches are not vigilant, MRSA can |
| intensely interesting. | | | | infect an entire team. Use preventive measures |
| Coach's son did not have a torn ligament in his | | | | by finding out the best ways to prevent MRSA |
| knee! He had contracted a MRSA infection! The | | | | and then taking the necessary action to prevent |
| official name of this infection is methicillin-resistant | | | | a breakout of this dangerous infection. |
| Staphylococcus aureus and is caused by | | | | In my class, we are also fortunate to have a |
| Staphylococcus aureus bacteria often called | | | | certified athletic trainer. During our MRSA |
| "staph" infection. It is one of the first germs to | | | | discussion, she did a thorough job of teaching us |
| out smart all but the most powerful drugs. This | | | | about MRSA and what to do to prevent the |
| MRSA infection can kill you. This is extremely | | | | bacteria from rampaging through a locker room |
| serious! | | | | as well as what to do if an athlete is already |
| The boy received the proper treatment and was | | | | infected. Thanks for the help! |
| told he should recover completely if he took | | | | |