x
Breaking News
More () »

California state wrestling match continues despite student’s concern of ‘mat herpes’

A high school wrestler in California is asking the state to postpone their wrestling championships after he was diagnosed with a serious case of “mat herp...
kero_b41f7290-e1dd-11e5-bd90-677493ae466d-640x360_1500k-1-thumb

SUNNYVALE, Calif — A high school wrestler in California asked the state to postpone their wrestling championships after he was diagnosed with a serious case of “mat herpes.”

Blake Flovin, 17, was diagnosed with the highly contagious herpes gladiatorum, according to FOX8. It’s spread through skin-to-skin contact and saliva but once you get it, it stays in your system for life.

Flovin says his diagnosis had ended his wrestling career. Wrestlers have the highest number of skin infections among high school athletes. A study published earlier this month in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, determined 73.6 percent of skin infections occurred during wrestling.

The Centers for Disease Control says wrestlers are also at risk for ringworm and staph infections. In 2014, an outbreak of infection was investigated by the CDC in Maricopa County, Arizona.

“This outbreak highlights the need for athletes, their coaches, and athletic directors to follow well-established infection control guidelines, including keeping all skin lesions covered with a clean, dry dressing, and excluding athletes from competitions when lesions cannot remain covered,” read the CDC’s statement after the 2014 outbreak.

Despite Flovin’s request, the California state tournament this weekend was not cancelled.

Before You Leave, Check This Out