Prevent Staph

1. WASH YOUR HANDS
Make sure and wash frequently with soap and warm water and use alcohol-based antibacterial skin cleansers regularly. The spread of bacteria is ALMOST ALWAYS spread through DIRECT PHYSICAL CONTACT and not through the air.

The spread may also occur through indirect contact by touching / sharing objects (e.g., towels, wash cloths, clothes, lip stick / make-up, razors, bar soap, uniforms, a workout area, or sports equipment) contaminated by the infected skin of a person with an infectious bacteria (e.g., staph / MRSA).

If you have to wait to get home to take a shower, make sure and keep some alcohol cleaner handy for the ride home.

2. INSPECT STRANGE SORES
It is very important to have any suspicious lesion evaluated by a doctor. Above and beyond the issue of spreading the infection, those that experience severe health issues from wound infections are usually because that have waited too long to get attention.

3. WEAR FOOT COVERINGS
Buy some cheap flip flops and wear them in the locker rooms and showers.(e.g. rubber shower shoes).

4. DON’T ROLL WITH OPEN SORES
Keep ALL wounds / infections, particularly those that continue to produce pus or to drain, covered with clean, dry bandages. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph bacteria (MRSA) to others. A couple of recent outbreaks among football players began when one team member had a boil, and the infection was spread to other team, members.

5. WASH YOUR GI
Wash gi after every use. Make sure and use a fresh and clean towel, do not re-use towel that have become soiled. Make sure and wash your BJJ gear (gi, belt, cup, jock strap, head gear) in HOT water and laundry detergent. When drying clothes, use the hot dryer, rather than air-drying, this helps to kill the bacteria. Make sure and Lysol your gym bag too!

For more information and guidelines on preventing the spread of infectious bacteria, visit here