Duke advises NFL on use of chlorhexidine gluconate to prevent MRSA
With reports of the antibiotic resistant bacterial strain, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or more commonly known as MRSA, in high contact sports like football and wrestling, researchers are looking at the best ways to prevent this infection.
The Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (DICON) recommends the use of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and provides information on it’s use in training facilities,according to an National Football League (NFL) news release Sept. 19.
DICON’s recommends the use of topical chlorhexidine gluconate by all team members when there is a cluster of MRSA infections in a training facility and they advise on the proper formulations, the use of CHG antiseptics and impregnated cloths, how to administer CHG and the potential side effects.
Duke researchers do note; however, that CHG is not a substitute for good hygiene and infection control practices and should be used in conjunction with good infection control principles.
These include athletes avoid sharing equipment (towels, water bottles, razors, bar soap) that can transmit bacterial infections. Hand hygiene and protection against body fluids with gloves and bandages are standard infection prevention methods. Common areas such as weight lifting rooms should be kept clean.
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as “staph,” is a bacteria commonly found on the skin and nares of healthy people.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics. In the community (CA-MRSA), most MRSA infections are skin infections.
CA-MRSA, like all staph bacteria, are transmitted to people from infected skin lesions or colonized nasal discharge. Transmission occurs from one person to another via direct physical contact or indirectly through contaminated objects, such as towels, bar soaps, wound dressings, clothes or sports equipment. As most athletes are in frequent physical contact with others during both training and competition, they represent an “at risk” group for both typical staph and CA-MRSA infections.
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