Sports Safety IQ

MRSA Superbugs, Part II: Prevention at School and at the Gym

I wrote about protecting yourself from MRSA superbugs in my last post. But what can schools and gyms do to protect you? The administration at my alma mater, Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA), just put out very strong guidelines on MRSA and the handling of potential cases. Their quick action is not only commendable, but should be a model for all schools.

Following the Center for Disease Control's guidelines, MKA will consider any potential skin infection to be a potential MRSA infection. No student or adult will be allowed to return to school until the infection has been cultured for MRSA and a doctor has cleared them to return. As long as the infection can be completely covered by a bandage to prevent contact with others, they can come back to school. All cases of confirmed MRSA will be reported to the town's Health Department in order to be traced by the State, and a letter will be sent to all parents to notify them of an outbreak.

Scary News about MRSA Superbugs, Part I: Protect Yourself

Ten Tips for Protecting Yourself from MRSA

MRSA, the Superbug strain of staph infection, previously found in hospitals and healthcare facilities, has now made the leap to other public places like schools, gyms, locker rooms and indoor pools. MRSA has been sweeping the news in recent weeks with fatal cases in New York, Virginia and elsewhere -- causing logjams at the pediatrician's office as nervous parents drag their kids in to have each bump, pimple and reddened scratch looked at.

Before worrying if you've got MRSA, let's worry about how to protect yourself and family from coming in contact with MRSA in the first place. MRSA, like many contagious diseases lying in wait in locker rooms and schools, is passed on by skin to skin contact or from contact with an object that has been touched by another's infection -- like sharing workout equipment or machines, towels or uniforms. Taking normal precautions is the key to staying healthy. Follow these ten tips to protect yourself:

Commotio Cordis: A catastrophic blow to the chest

A little over a year ago, Steven Domalewski, a 13-year old Little League pitcher from Wayne, NJ was hit in the chest by a line drive. The blow to the chest resulted in a condition called commotio cordis that left Steven in a coma for months after the injury. From the news reports, he has had a long, slow year on the path to recovery, but is now able to speak a handful of words. Doctors, who have called his progress miraculous, hope to restore more language ability and brain function over time. His family has faith that he has the determination to walk again.

As hard as it is to believe, Steven is one of the lucky ones.