Staph infections an epidemic in the league?

[Broncosmang]

No I'm not talking about the problems with our defensive coaching staff. I'm thinking about the rash of serious infections in players following surgery. It's scary really. Everyone knows that Cleveland has had like 7 players over the past 2 years come down with staph infections. Well I read an article on Mike Walker of the Jags last night and his staph infection. Throw in Brady and Manning and it get's pretty disturbing. This can't just be affecting athletes. You know these guys have access to the best facilities anywhere. Makes the idea of going under the knife a little more intimidating.

Researched it and TIME just did a big piece on the issue five days ago. See below

The NFL is learning the hard way that a microscopic foe can be much more imposing than a 300-pound lineman, as a sudden slew of staph infections has sacked several players in the game.
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Early this week, Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. revealed that staph (short for Staphylococcus) infection had sent him to the Cleveland Clinic for three days, and he accused the Browns of asking him to cover it up. Pro football teams are notoriously reluctant to reveal any information on player injuries, but since six different Browns have caught the bug since 2005 — Winslow has had it twice — the team's medical management looked suspect to some observers. "There's obviously a problem [with staph] and we have to fix it," Winslow told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Just look at the history around here. It's unfortunate, because it happens time and time again." The Browns, who denied that they had kept the news of his infection from his teammates, suspended Winslow one game for his rant, which included his claim that he felt like he had been treated like "a piece of meat."

But the Winslow medical controversy wasn't even the worst of it for the league. In the past week, it has become clear that two of its most marketable stars, marquee quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, had gotten infections. The New England Patriots' Brady has had at least two additional infection-related procedures since his initial season-ending knee surgery in September. It's now possible that his knee will have to undergo another operation, which could delay his return until 2010. Staph seems to be the likely culprit, but neither Brady nor the Patriots will confirm that. During training camp staph infected a bursa sac, which acts as a cushion between bones, in Manning's left knee. The infection required surgery and forced him to miss most of the preseason. Though the Colts released a statement on Friday insisting Manning didn't contract a more perilous staph, the anti-biotic resistant strain known as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), the incidents should alarm the NFL. "The NFL, and all the leagues, should be diligent, and not let their guards down," says Dr. Robert Gotlin, director of Orthopedic and Sports Rehabilitation at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. "They've got to do better. It's got to be one of the top five priorities."

The recent cases have certainly gotten players' attention. "I'm concerned, and wondering why it's happening. It's not some little infection that goes away in a few days, it's pretty serious," says Chicago Bears rookie running back Matt Forte. The league is quick to point out that it has partnered with teams to educate players about the bacteria, while the players' union insists it's alarmed and has contacted the league about further action. Some teams, like the Colts, have posted pictures on training room walls that warn players about staph symptoms and how to avoid contracting or spreading it. For their part, the Browns note that the team has previously used a special anti-staph agent to disinfect the locker room, weight room and other places where players gather.

Staph, of course, is far from just an NFL problem. Two college teams, the '05 Florida Gators and the '03 USC Trojans, had multiple cases. And football is by no means the only sports victim. The infection kept Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios out of the 2006 All-Star Game. A few days later another Toronto player caught it, and the clubhouse was disinfected. NBA players Paul Pierce, Grant Hill and Drew Gooden have had it. Staph killed a high school wrestler in California this summer, and last spring 15 students at a Pennsylvania high school were either treated for staph or symptoms caused by the virus.

What exactly are staph infections? Staph is bacteria carried on the skin, which can enter the body through a cut or during a medical procedure, causing the infection. Most are minor, but certain strains are particularly resistant to anti-biotics and can cause athletes to miss significant playing time. Athletes are more likely to suffer cuts, and the locker room setting bunches players close to one another in a warm, damp environment, so they are especially susceptible to spreading the bacteria. Since football teams carry some 55 players on their rosters, and tend to have a higher degree of serious injuries to deal with, they are at particular risk. According to a 2005 survey by the NFL Team Physicians Society, 13 out of 30 teams that responded had had a player contract MRSA in recent years, for a total of 60 leaguewide infections.

Though Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Omar Gaither rightly points out that "we're just a naturally dirty sport," there are several basic precautions athletes can take to lower the chance of catching an infection. Many athletes shave their ankles, legs, and arms because they don't want athletic tape ripping hair off their bodies, but experts say they should lose the razor. "No matter how careful the shaving is, you can have nicks and microscopic cuts in the skin," says Dr. Daniel Sexton, an infectious disease specialist at the Duke University Medical Center, who consults for an NFL team and several college programs. "Any time you break that barrier, it becomes a portal through which bacteria can gain access." Staph prevention is pretty low-tech. "You know, this is pretty simple," Sexton says. "Hand washing remains the primary defense against the transmissions of most organisms, including staph. Most people don't think of a locker room as a place where hand hygiene is important, but locker rooms are also mini-emergency rooms."

In 2003, a team of researchers tracked the St. Louis Rams and found five players who caught eight MRSA infections. "We observed a lack of regular access to hand hygiene (i.e., soap and water or alcohol-based hand gels) for trainers who provided wound care," they wrote in The New England Journal of Medicine. Other offenses included "skipping of showers by players before the use of communal whirlpools; and sharing or towels — all factors that might facilitate the transmission of infection in this setting."

In short: use a little common sense, tough guys. But when it comes to infectious germs, even a 245-lb. bruiser like Gaither believes you can't always outrun them. "You can't worry about it to death," he says. "It's not like you can walk around and put gloves on your hand every 10 seconds. Sometimes, there's just not that much you can do." Except hope that these recent cases are a coincidental hiccup, and not an epidemic that seriously tackles the NFL.

[bronco militia]

Phil Savage disputes the notion that he didn’t show sympathy to Kellen Winslow; “I gave him his own parking space,” Savage said.

[Orange_Beard]

Our D has a "Stiff" infection.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Staph infections are serious.

MRSA will KILL you.

In this era, we dont give much thought to microorganisms unless we get an extremely pathenogenic one.

MRSA (methycillin resistant staph aureus) cannot be slowed by antibiotic. It will eat you alive.

[chaz]

staph infections are obviously a huge issue and i'm very surprised the teams that have been plagued by them haven't been required to do more.

Although it seems like the new "thing" that we have to worry about...as more and more people I know are dealing with it

[Houshyamama]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...hospitals.html

Making door handles, taps and light switches from copper could help the country beat superbugs, scientists say.

A study found that copper fittings rapidly killed bugs on hospital wards, succeeding where other infection control measures failed.

In the trial at Selly Oak hospital, in Birmingham, copper taps, toilet seats and push plates on doors all but eliminated common bugs.

It is thought the metal 'suffocates' germs, preventing them breathing. It may also stop them from feeding and destroy their DNA.

Lab tests show that the metal kills off the deadly MRSA and C difficile superbugs.

It also kills other dangerous germs, including the flu virus and the E coli food poisoning bug...

[Broncosmang]

Silver has also been found to work, but would be much more expensive for fixtures. Many hospitals in Europe are using a colloidal silver solutions as a an antibacterial/ antiviral solution. Won't happen over here because it's not regulated by the FDA as a "drug".

[Borks147]

Originally Posted by Houshyamama

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...hospitals.html

why do you think IUDs are made of copper...kill all of your little dudes...

[Ray Finkle]

Originally Posted by McSkillet

Staph infections are serious.

MRSA will KILL you.

In this era, we dont give much thought to microorganisms unless we get an extremely pathenogenic one.

MRSA (methycillin resistant staph aureus) cannot be slowed by antibiotic. It will eat you alive.

unless they use the maggot treatment....not posting pictures but do a google search....not for the faint of heart.

[kappys]

Originally Posted by McSkillet

Staph infections are serious.

MRSA will KILL you.

In this era, we dont give much thought to microorganisms unless we get an extremely pathenogenic one.

MRSA (methycillin resistant staph aureus) cannot be slowed by antibiotic. It will eat you alive.

Where in God's name do you come up with this stuff?

Actually probably best I don't see the sources you read for this disinformation.

[cwdogg]

There was a baskeball player who had his foot amputated because of that stuff. They think he got it in a lockeroom shower.

[Rock Chalk]

Originally Posted by Houshyamama

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...hospitals.html

Funny thing about copper, its used on naval vessels to prevent marine life build up on hulls. scientists dont know why, but copper tends to kill microorganisms in the ocean annd prevents barnacles and such from latching on.

In fact, they've been doing this to naval vessels for over 200 years. You'd think hospital's would have realized this and someone somewhere would have done some research on the effectiveness as a killing agent on microorganisms.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by kappys

Where in God's name do you come up with this stuff?

Actually probably best I don't see the sources you read for this disinformation.

You could educate yourself with this surface-level basic information with something like wikipedia, Im sure.

[Circle Orange]

Staph infections have always been an issue in the NFL, especially for teams playing on artificial turf. I remember years ago there were various outbreaks from players scraping areas of skin away from colliding with the fake grass. It's being highlighted more now because of certain players popping up with the problem.

[Kaylore]

This a propaganda piece. Probably someone is on the take from the Browns FO to hide their embarrassment. The only franchise that has had repeated problems with Staph infections is the Browns and everyone knows it.

[Smiling Assassin27]

Everyone gets an enima and a Lysol bath.

Man, Greg Lloyd was a man-beast until staph put a swift end to his career.

[rugbythug]

Staph is a problem everywhere not just football. But when your mom gets a staph infection it does not make the paper

[Houshyamama]

Originally Posted by Rock Chalk

Funny thing about copper, its used on naval vessels to prevent marine life build up on hulls. scientists dont know why, but copper tends to kill microorganisms in the ocean annd prevents barnacles and such from latching on.

In fact, they've been doing this to naval vessels for over 200 years. You'd think hospital's would have realized this and someone somewhere would have done some research on the effectiveness as a killing agent on microorganisms.

The fact that copper prevents viral transmission is very telling IMO, they're pretty simple... a protein capsule around RNA/DNA.

http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/full/73/8/2748

The mechanism for reduced infectivity after exposure to copper is not known at this point, although results from tests done with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus suggest that genomic material is degraded (J. O. Noyce, H. Michels, and C. W. Keevil, submitted for publication). Evidence to date has demonstrated that copper ions have the ability to disorder DNA by binding to and cross-linking between and within strands (11). If similar mechanisms occurred with the negative-sense RNA genome in influenza A virus, then viral replication could be inhibited by copper-linked RNA damage.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by rugbythug

Staph is a problem everywhere not just football. But when your mom gets a staph infection it does not make the paper

MRSA has been a problem for 40 years.

[SportinOne]

Alright, i finally get to share one of the many not-so-savory stories that i have built up from being in the Navy!

So, i was stationed in Coronado, CA which is right accross the bay from San Diego. I had to transfer to a different command soon. I was an E-4 at the time.. no kids, no wife, but i was receiving a housing allowance since the barracks were all filled up. For those of you unfamilar with this sort of thing, this is basically free money that is added to your paycheck to pay for rent. In San Diego the allowance was 1100 a month, and i took full advantage of it by renting out a condo in Solana Beach... two blocks from the beach. Of course, i split rent with two other roomates because the total rent was 2300. Insane to think about since i now live in Wisconsin..

So anyway, i chose to stay in San Diego since i thought i would be able to keep my housing allowance that way.. Well, according to the naval instruction i was supposed to.. but my new command, the USS Bonhomme Richard, said Nooo Way! I was immediately given a "rack" on the ship. A rack is a sort of triple bunk bed.. looks like this:



This was now my home. It took a while but i finally adapted to the new place.. Everything was becoming easier, smoother.. until IT happened...

It started as an ingrown hair. A small little zit-like thing about two inches to the left of my belly button. But every day it started getting bigger, and started to hurt more. It got to about the circumfrence of a table tennis ball, and i tried to pop it with a safety pin. Did not work. It got even bigger so i googled some info.. looked like a boil to me. The thing hurt like CRAZY! Then one morning i awoke to the sight of my bedsheets covered in blood and puss. It had finally popped. It didn't really hurt that much anymore so i let it go for a while. When i finally called my mom(who's an RN) about it, she yelled at me and made me go to the ship's "medical." It turned out to be a MRSA Staph infection.

They immediately stuck the area full of needles, injecting pain killers. They then proceeded to take a knife to it, cutting a nice cylindrical chunk out of my stomach a little bit wider than the diameter of a pool cue (the end you hit the ball with). It probably went about a half-inch deep. They stuffed the thing with gauze and then pulled them back out right away. Then they stuffed it back up again and bandaged it up. I was handed a bag full of gauze, tape, and cue tips, along with the instructions to "unpack" and "repack" the gauze every day. They put me on two different medications as well as a third which was a gel that i was to stick with a cue tip as far up into my nasal passage as possible. Apparently staph bacteria LOVE your nose. I also got a prescription for vicodin that i was to take an hour before i did my "packing".

It took a long long time but the hole finally sealed itself. I do have a pretty nasty scare from it, though. What's funny is that at the time i didn't realize it could kill you. I just thought it was something you just had to deal with. Thanks Navy!

[Houshyamama]

gross

[Kaylore]

I always thought that ships used copper so they could attach those anode plates to focus away all the ion exchanges to prevent rust...

[Florida_Bronco]

Originally Posted by TheChamp

It started as an ingrown hair. A small little zit-like thing about two inches to the left of my belly button. But every day it started getting bigger, and started to hurt more. It got to about the circumfrence of a table tennis ball, and i tried to pop it with a safety pin. Did not work. It got even bigger so i googled some info.. looked like a boil to me. The thing hurt like CRAZY! Then one morning i awoke to the sight of my bedsheets covered in blood and puss. It had finally popped. It didn't really hurt that much anymore so i let it go for a while. When i finally called my mom(who's an RN) about it, she yelled at me and made me go to the ship's "medical." It turned out to be a MRSA Staph infection.

They immediately stuck the area full of needles, injecting pain killers. They then proceeded to take a knife to it, cutting a nice cylindrical chunk out of my stomach a little bit wider than the diameter of a pool cue (the end you hit the ball with). It probably went about a half-inch deep. They stuffed the thing with gauze and then pulled them back out right away. Then they stuffed it back up again and bandaged it up. I was handed a bag full of gauze, tape, and cue tips, along with the instructions to "unpack" and "repack" the gauze every day. They put me on two different medications as well as a third which was a gel that i was to stick with a cue tip as far up into my nasal passage as possible. Apparently staph bacteria LOVE your nose. I also got a prescription for vicodin that i was to take an hour before i did my "packing".

It took a long long time but the hole finally sealed itself. I do have a pretty nasty scare from it, though. What's funny is that at the time i didn't realize it could kill you. I just thought it was something you just had to deal with. Thanks Navy!

That's pretty much what happened to me. Mine started on my right elbow and the infection ended up in my bloodstream and spread all over my body. Luckily they gave me Bactriban (sp?) and it killed it in about a week.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

I always thought that ships used copper so they could attach those anode plates to focus away all the ion exchanges to prevent rust...

I think it's zinc they use for that. On my sportfisher I have zinc anodes attached to the rudders to prevent rust. I really don't know how it works though.

[cutthemdown]

I spent 5 days in the hospital on IV antibiotics because of an infection once.