Some of the National Football League’s (NFL’s) biggest stars have been sidelined recently by staphylococcus (staph) infections. First it was reported that Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow had to be hospitalized for three days in mid-October after he contracted his second staph infection in the past three years. The Browns eventually admitted that seven such infections had occurred in Browns players over the past four years.

Next, the Boston Herald reported that New England Patriots quarterback and NFL MVP Tom Brady, who had two knee ligaments repaired in early October, had to have two additional knee surgeries because of subsequent infections. Staph infections are the most common cause of such surgical complications and can set back recovery by months. Brady is now on a six-week course of intravenous antibiotics, in the hopes that the infection does not compromise his surgically-repaired ligaments and force him to go under the knife yet again.

Then came the news that Indianapolis Colts superstar Peyton Manning’s off-season knee surgery in July was prompted by a staph infection in a fluid filled knee pad called a bursa sac. The sac had to be removed, forcing Manning to miss all of training camp as well as the pre-season.

Apparently, none of the NFL stars above had MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections.

There are more than 30 strains of staphylococcus and most of them are harmless. They live in soil or on the surface of the skin and can enter the body through a cut or during a medical procedure, causing an infection. Anyone can get a staph infection but athletes are at increased risk because they are more likely to suffer cuts and they also spend a lot of time in close quarters with poor sanitation, such as locker rooms and training rooms.

Steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of contracting a staph infection include practicing good hygiene (frequent hand washing is the primary defense against the transmission of most organisms, including staph) and doing your best to avoid cuts and abrasions, cleaning them thoroughly when they do occur.

To get answers to your questions about staph infections, join Healia’s Health Community on MRSA infections.

_{Photo: ckirkman, Flickr, Creative Commons}