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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 16, 2003)
7A Thursday, October 16, 2003 SCI-TECH THE BATTALION ctober 16.200! isA&M SY OF HE|3.AS.UnXA5.EDU □t the University of imy department. ists said. ience and an exciting bringing astronomers onomy program, the renefit because the underfill teachers and minity informed on rd A&M astronomy itronomy department in would put the state i of great astronomi- symbiosis and will ams," Kattawarsaid >uld come up with a t of students interest- hat by developing an ould be able to have unities they desire, love the school and ttle for my second- ‘An astronomy pro- /iding me an oppor- y wanted to in the club ight from set Team!!! ly, 0 am 1 g Room ler Fountain )p@ Rudder 401 Cinemark ght @ Rum° rs SC r Zehner VAC and Athletes should be wary of virus By Daniel Yee THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ATLANTA — Health and sports officials are warning schools and sports teams about a hard-to-treat skin infection once common to hospitals and pris ons that’s now plaguing athletes on the playing field. The National Federation of State High School Associations sent a warning Tuesday to states about a staph infection that can’t becured by the usual penicillin- related antibiotics. On Monday the NCAA’s medical committee urged col lege athletic departments to be alert for the infections and to practice careful hygiene. Though usually mild, methi- cillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can progress to alife-threatening blood or bone infection. Several athletes who got the infection have been hos pitalized. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the infection, which can look like hi ordinary skin wound or a toil, is often not diagnosed or tnds up being treated with mtibiotics that can’t cure it. Symptoms include fever, pus, swelling or pain. “It’s important for coaches aid for parents to be aware ISA might be a cause of skin problems in children,” said Di. Dan Ifmigan, CDC wheal epi- taiologist. Athletes siould tell their coaches of any wounds, which should be cov ered. If a wound can’t be covered, the player should be excluded from the sport until he gets appropriate treatment or the wound heals, Jernigan said. Most often affected are those playing close-contact sports, but in one case, fencing was involved. “It’s not uncommon in con tact sports such as football and wrestling where we have conta gious skin conditions,” said Jerry Diehl, assistant director for the high school federation. He said proper equipment clean ing is needed to prevent the infections. The CDC also recommended avoiding contact with other players’ skin lesions, better hygiene and no sharing of tow els or personal items. Preventing skin infections in sports Health and sports officials are warning schools and sports teams about a strain of antibiotic- resistant skin infection that is plaguing athletes around the country. Symptoms of infection are fever, pus. swelling or pain. ► Cover all wounds. ► Practice good hygiene and shower with soap after practices and competitions. ► Do not share towels and personal items, such as clothing and equipment. ► Clean all shared equipment. ► Coaches should assess and report athletes regularly for skin lesions. SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control AP and Prevention NCAA spokeswoman Kay Hawes said Wednesday the alert to universities was to make them aware of potential problems. “The NCAA alerts the mem bership any time there’s a health and safety issue where we could prevent a problem or concern.” The last such announcement was about the SARS virus. Earlier this month, a 17- year-old high school football player in Wisconsin was hospitalized with MRSA and six of his team mates also were treated. In August, seven University of Southern California football players were infected, and four were hospitalized. The CDC noted that five Colorado fencers were infected in February. Team members shared sensor wires, which record hits by an opponent’s weapon, under their clothing and the wires were not regularly cleaned, the CDC said. In January, a pair of Indiana high school wrestlers were infected; last year, two college football players were hospital ized from the infection, and in 2000, 10 Pennsylvania college football players were infected, the CDC added. It’s important for coaches and for parents to be aware MRSA might be a cause of skin problems... — Dan Jernigan CDC medical epidemiologist Relax, Rejuvenate and Unwind. Let the professionals at Riviera Day Spa take eare of all your spa needs! Specials Microdermabrasion Riviera Facial 1 Hour Massage Specials good through Nov. 15, 2003. Not good on gift certificates or packages. Call Riviera Day Spa for an appointment. 695-0327 • 1800 Brothers Blvd., College Station *99 *50 *50 Better Scores. 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