I read on a MA forum (Swedish forum so I will translate the most important parts, http://www.fightermag.com/fighter_forum/show_mess.asp?thread_id=1457&mess_id=1457&page=1) that there actually are diseases that are associated with MA. The more “common” of the unpleasant ones are Impetigo, Hepatitis B and Herpes! There even are a term for the MA herpes “Herpes gladiatorum”. I am not sh!ting you!
These diseases infect through contact(open wounds) and bodyfluids, e.g. blood or saliva.
Hepatitis B have been found among others sumowrestlers, american football players, etc. You may have hepatitis B without knowing it because it doesn’t always show symptoms. 1 of 20 gets chronic hepatitis if not treated.
The impetigo is a more common disease that primary hit those that practise grapling arts. If you have open wounds that looks strange and don’t heal right you better watch out. It may be impetigo. Impetigo is easily treated if diagnosed.
Yeah, there’s all kinds of crazy diseases, fungi and other crap that MA, or athletes in general, should be aware of.
Here’s some more info on Impetigo (It’s a link to a child’s health website, because the way the info is presented is easier for us regular schmoes to understand compared to the other sites I found )
Fortunately, most of the things to watch out for can be prevented with good hygiene and some common sense. Unfortunately, it only takes one lazy bum to start it all… :mad:
We had a nasty outbreak amongst our students of Golden Staph about a year ago. It manifested as really nasty sores on students’ arms and legs. Nasty stuff.
Yep, very eeeewwwwwww. Strangely enough, it only started after Goktimus Prime made his visit to our school (see Duty of Care thread in Training & Health forum). NOt laying any blame, but very suspicious, no?
)