A Penn-Trafford High School wrestler recently was diagnosed with MRSA, a contagious staph infection, the school district said Tuesday.
The wrestler, who was not identified, is receiving medical treatment and will not return to the team until he receives a medical clearance, said Tony Aquilio, high school principal.
The student initially was cleared for competition by medical staff, then diagnosed with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Aquilio said.
As result of the diagnosis, the district said it cleaned and disinfected all areas of concern and told the sports teams to continue using appropriate hygiene practices, including sanitizing their personal equipment.
MRSA is a type of staph that developed resistance to antibiotics and is spread primarily by direct, skin-to-skin contact or with direct contact to a wound of someone who is carrying or infected with the bacteria. Anyone with a break in their skin is at risk. MRSA may occur less frequently through indirect contact with contaminated surfaces or items, the school district said.
Symptoms include a large area of redness on the skin, swelling and pain, followed by an abscess. If left untreated, staph can infect blood and bones, causing severe illness that requires intense medical care.
