Wrestling Mats & Herpes

Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in the world and has presented physical challenges to countless participants over the centuries. Apart from the danger of injury, wrestling can hamper your life permanently through the spread of the disease. One of the most commonly spread diseases in the sport is herpes gladiatorum, which is a strain of the herpes simplex virus that is similar to genital herpes and the common cold sore.

Identification

Herpes gladiatorum first appears on a the neck, face or scalp as a red lesion. Within eight days, small blisters may begin to form on the lesion. If the lesion or the puss in the blisters comes in contact with the wrestling mat, there is a potential for the virus to be spread to other wrestlers who come in contact with the affected area. Prior to every match or practice, it is advised that wrestlers are inspected for these types of lesions. Other symptoms of the virus include fever and malaise.

Prevention

To stop the spread of herpes from wrestling mats, a thorough and strict mat cleaning program should be implemented for all wrestling clubs. There are many different mat cleaning solutions available on the market specifically for wrestling, but a simple mixture of 1/4-cup of bleach for every gallon of water is sufficient to disinfect the mats. The mats and walls of the wrestling room should be thoroughly swept and mopped every day before use. Mop heads should be washed frequently with hot water and detergent.

Expert Insight

According to a 2007 assessment from the National Federation of State High School Associations, herpes gladitorum may be present in nearly 30 percent of wrestlers. Skin to skin contact is the most common way that herpes is spread between wrestlers, Brian B. Adams writes in a meta study published in 2001 in the Western Journal of Medicine. Adams notes that "transmission through formites," such as wrestling mats, is not considered as important as preventing skin to skin transmission. However, it is still possible to spread the disease through mat contact and it should be addressed seriously by a wrestling program.

Significance

The spread of herpes can greatly hamper a wrestling squad, so prevention is key. If an athlete becomes infected with the virus, they will suffer lifetime outbreaks and will need to sit out from practice and competition for at least five days. If the herpes outbreak spreads to a wrestler's eye, it is very painful and can cause permanent damage to the cornea. In 2008, the seriousness of the disease led three former college wrestlers from York, PA to sue their coaches and health advisers for neglect after they contracted it. Addressing skin to skin and mat transmission seriously is the only way to prevent the spread of herpes in a wrestling program.