ABC News recently reported about Andrew Bradley, a wrestler at York College of Pennsylvania. In the fall of 2006, Bradley and his teammates met to receive blood tests for herpes.
“I had a rash by my left eye, and then it was crusty and it was pussy and itching, and with that came flu symptoms,” Bradley told ABC News.
He also was shocked when he heard the diagnosis: he had contracted herpes simplex 1, the virus commonly linked to cold sores as well as genital herpes, from the wrestling mat. Bradley and two of his fellow mat men have since filed lawsuits against the college, holding the wrestling coach and trainers responsible for the herpes outbreak.
Bradley’s situation is not uncommon, however. In fact, the NCAA outlines specific rules to impede the spread of herpes on the wrestling mat, specifically known as herpes gladiatorum.
“It is a viral infection that can involve the limbs and torso,” said Ethan Saliba, University associate director of athletics and head athletic trainer. “It tends to be a very widespread herpes infection. The idea just like any type of infection — you have your normal vulnerabilities – but ultimately it can be due to contact with a person, with equipment, mats, towels, any type of contact to contact with a vulnerable host.”
According to the Minnesota Department of Health Web site, herpes gladiatorum is “a skin infection caused by the Herpes Simplex type 1 virus” that is spread by skin-to-skin contact — a reason why herpes gladiatorum is so prominent among wrestlers. Prior to the appearance of visible skin lesions, some people may experience a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fever or skin tingling. Lesions generally appear as a cluster of blisters on the face, extremities or trunk.
A Virginia High School League notification states that head, face and neck lesions appear on 73 percent of infected wrestlers. The infections can also spread to the eye, which can lead to severe health problems. The infections can recur, remaining in the nerves and leading to future infections. Recurring infections are not any less contagious, though, so it is important to take the same treatment measures each time.
“It’s not unheard of,” Saliba said. “It’s kind of one of the occupational hazards. Sometimes it can be very prominent, sometimes not. It takes very close skin checks that are required by physicians before workouts. They are not allowed to participate until all of these have taken place. We have to be very proactive.”
The ABC news report also stated that infected athletes usually are not banned from practice or competition, but they must undergo rigorous health checks before practice or competition. The Virginia High School League document said a survey of certified athletic trainers reported that three percent of high school wrestlers and eight percent of college wrestlers have herpes gladiatorum infections during wrestling season.
“It is a very tough sport, and it has one of those occupational hazards of this entity,” Saliba said. “But we’re very aggressive to help protect and prevent.”
University Assoc. Athletic Director Jason Bauman said the wrestling mats are cleaned two times per day using a chemical cleaner disinfectant recommended by the mat company, especially “during the season when there are higher activities and higher use.”
Bauman added that the athletic department takes all necessary measures to protect against germs and infections. Saliba noted that this protection is an active process not just on behalf on the individual, but globally.
“First and foremost, your own self-care: make sure that you are very motivated to make sure that you are showering, your uniforms are clean, work-out clothes are clean,” he said. “Don’t share towels and other equipment like head gear. Care for all is care for all. If you start to sense anything, see anything, report to our doctors.”
The ABC News report claimed that for a first-time infection, most wrestlers should be free from systemic symptoms such as fever and malaise, whether he or she has visible lesions, before stepping back onto a wrestling mat. Additionally, the wrestler cannot show signs of new “blisters” within 72 hours and any existing blisters cannot be moist or weeping. The wrestler also is required to take what the article calls “appropriate antiviral dosages” for five days.
“The guys on our team that have wrestler’s herpes are on preventative medicine that helps prevent outbreaks,” said senior wrestler Ross Gitomer. “But we are such an incredibly clean team that we don’t have many outbreaks. We keep it under control.”
The Minnesota Department of Health cautioned against concealing lesions. Also, the department states that there is a strong likelihood of contracting the virus when wrestling with others who have lesions. The Web site lists several precautionary means to avoid contracting the virus, such as showering immediately after practice using soap and water, not sharing soap or towels, cleaning equipment daily with antibacterial products and avoiding picking or squeezing skin sores because drainage is very infectious.
“The number one prevention is showering,” Gitomer said. “Also, you shouldn’t practice if you have any sort of abnormal spot on your skin. You should let the coach or trainer know.”
Bauman believes that it is mostly the managers’ and coaches’ responsibility to ensure that the equipment is clean. Overall, though, it is a group effort to ensure the safety of the wrestlers as they are not only at risk during practice and home competitions, but also while visiting other colleges and universities. Precautionary measures are vital and the staff needs to be prepared in case a problem arises.
“You need to make sure that you have procedures and programs, and then if you have a problem you respond to it,” Bauman said.
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