Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Herpes Gladiatorum
(Herpes on Skin)
Cause
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
Symptoms
The most obvious symptom is a cluster of blisters (fluid-filled bumps) on exposed areas of the body (typically the head, neck and shoulders). Fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, or burning or tingling of the skin may be present in the 24 hours before the blisters appear. Blisters will eventually scab and crust. Herpes gladiatorum infections can recur throughout life.
Spread
Extremely contagious by skin-to-skin contact during athletic competition involving close physical contact and frequent skin abrasions (e.g., wrestling, rugby).
Abrasions and other skin conditions increase the chance of getting the infection. Saliva of persons may also contain the virus and even people without symptoms can spread it to others. Surfaces and/or objects like mats, floors, locker room surfaces, equipment, and clothing are not likely causes of infection.
Incubation
It takes from 2 to 14 days, usually 8 days, from the time a person is exposed for the first time until symptoms develop.
Contagious Period
Most often while blisters and sores are present and unhealed. However, people without symptoms may also be contagious.
Exclusion
Contact Sports: Exclude from practice and competition until all sores are dry and scabbed. Treatment with oral medication may shorten exclusion time. Follow the athlete’s healthcare provider’s recommendations and specific sports league rules for when the athlete can return to practice and competition.
Treatment
Recommend parents call their healthcare provider. Antiviral medications can shorten the duration of infection. They are not effective after blisters have opened.
Prevention/Control
Coaches and trainers
- Examine athletes for undiagnosed rashes, blisters, or sores on exposed areas of the body and around the eyes or mouth before practice or competition.
- Check the specific sports league rules for when athlete can return to practice and competition.
- Instruct athletes to report blisters and/or sores.
- Instruct athletes to report any burning or tingling if it occurs at the prior site of infection.
Coaches and Trainers ensure athletes follow these hygiene measures
Showering
- Shower at school after practice or competition, using liquid soap and water.
- Have their own plastic bottle of liquid soap.
- Have their own towel. DO NOT allow anyone to share towels.
- Wash their towels after each use, using hot water with detergent (and bleach if possible); and dry on high heat setting.
General hygiene
- Clean their hands often! Scrub up for at least 15 seconds using soap and warm water. Use an alcohol-based hand rub if their hands are not visibly soiled.
- Encourage them to avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Have them clean their hands before and after practice and competitions.
- DO NOT let them pick or squeeze skin sores as the drainage is very infectious.
Equipment and clothing
- Change their practice and competition clothing every day.
- Clean their equipment daily according to manufacturer’s directions.
School - Have written procedures for cleaning and disinfecting* the environment.
- Wash mats after every practice or competition.
- Clean and disinfect locker rooms and shower areas daily.
- Launder mop heads and cleaning cloths daily using laundry detergent in hot water and dry on high heat setting.
* Always use an EPA-approved disinfectant* (viricidal, fungicidal, bactericidal) according to manufacturer recommendations OR bleach solution (800 ppm = ¼ cup bleach into 1 gallon of water). Mix daily.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Herpes Gladiatorum Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Herpes Gladiatorum
Herpes gladiatorum is a viral skin infection that occurs frequently among wrestlers. It is not a sexually transmitted disease.
If you think your child has Herpes Gladiatorum:
- Tell the coaches and school health staff.
No Contact Sports:
Until all sores are dry and scabbed. Follow your healthcare provider recommendations and the specific sports league rules about when to return to practice and competition.
Symptoms
A single blister or a cluster of blisters (fluid-filled bumps) may be the only symptom. The bumps are usually on exposed areas of the head, neck, and shoulders.
Sometimes, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes or burning or tingling of the skin may be present before the blisters appear. Blisters will eventually scab and crust.
If your child is infected, it may take 2 to 14 days for symptoms to start.
Spread
- By skin to skin contact or touching saliva. Usually spreads during sports with close physical contact or during sports that tend to cause skin abrasions.
Contagious Period
Until all sores are dry and scabbed. Herpes gladiatorum infections can recur throughout life.
Call your Healthcare Provider
- If anyone in your home has symptoms. Your doctor will decide what treatment is needed.
Prevention
Inform parents/guardians and coaching staff:
- If you have blisters and/or sores.
- If you have had this infection before and develop burning or tingling at the site where the infection was before.
General Hygiene
- DO NOT pick or squeeze skin sores; drainage is very infectious.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands.
- Clean your hands with warm water and liquid soap before and after practice and competitions.
- Shower at school after practice or competition. Use your own plastic bottle of liquid soap. Wash your towel after each use, using hot water with detergent (and bleach if possible); and dry on high heat setting.
- Change clothes and clean equipment daily. Clean equipment with the same soap you use for showering.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.