“We hear about staph infections causing a number of serious illnesses,” says Neil Maniar, a Northeastern University public health expert.
Fight fans have been processing news that Olympic wrestler and UFC star Ben Askren recently underwent a double lung transplant after a months-long battle with pneumonia linked to staph infection.
Askren, who won back-to-back NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007 for the University of Missouri, had spent 45 days in intensive care with lung failure.
Taking to social media last week, the fighter expressed gratitude for the love he’d received from fans, and noted that he had died four times while undergoing treatment.
“I actually just read through my wife’s journal because I don’t remember anything from May 28th to July 2nd,” Askren said on Instagram. “No recollection. No idea what happened.”
Askren’s story is a cautionary tale about a relatively common bacterial infection that poses an outsized risk for individuals involved in close-contact sports such as wrestling or mixed martial arts, says Neil Maniar, director of Northeastern University’s master of public health program.
“We hear about staph infections causing a number of serious illnesses,” Maniar says. “The bacteria that causes staph infections is one that survives pretty well on a number of different surfaces, so that is certainly one of the problems.”
What is staph infection?
Staph infection, a bacterial infection caused by the staphylococcus bacteria commonly found on the skin and in the nose, can cause a variety of symptoms — most commonly blisters, sores or boils. These can appear anywhere on the body.
Staph infections can also cause digestive symptoms and food poisoning; osteomyelitis, a type of bone infection; and pneumonia, if the infection spreads to the lungs. It can also damage heart valves and lead to heart failure.
There are millions of staph infections reported each year. There are 30 known types of staphylococcus, but most infections are linked to staphylococcus aureus.
“For all of us in general — and not just athletes — it’s not unusual to be in contact with the bacteria that causes staph infections,” Maniar says.
Combat sports and staph infection: A recurring threat
In the world of combat sports, staph infections are especially common, and many high-profile mixed martial artists have shared stories about prior infections. (In the Ultimate Fighting Championship, there have been reports of athletes concealing staph infections so as not to miss out on fights.)
Infections rarely turn deadly, Maniar says, but each case should be evaluated by a physician.
What happened to Askren should serve as a warning that even athletes aren’t immune from developing complications or serious illness, he says.
“It can certainly impact any athlete,” Maniar says. “It’s important to recognize that trying to go on and perform with that type of injury or illness — trying to ‘power through it,’ as athletes might feel inclined to do — actually puts others at risk too.”
And as combat sports like MMA, wrestling and boxing have grown into a global industry, attracting more amateurs to professionals alike, Maniar says it’s important to promote awareness of the kinds of risks involved.
How staph infections spread — and how to protect yourself
How exactly does transmission occur?
The infection typically spreads through direct skin contact. The bacteria can enter through open cuts or wounds, causing a localized infection.
“With wrestling, where there’s close contact with surfaces or skin, transmission is more common than in other sports,” Maniar says.
“If you have open cuts and scrapes, it’s always important to keep an eye on them,” he says.
As for prevention, competitors and staff at facilities should work to keep mats and surfaces clean, frequently cleaning them with disinfectants between sessions and matches.
Staph infection and public health: Why awareness matters
When it comes to staph infection, early detection and prompt care can make a difference.
“There’s some degree of preventability here,” he says. “A big part of that is about being on the lookout for signs and symptoms — catching it early and treating it early.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that roughly one in 10 cases of serious staph infections in the U.S. is linked to individuals who inject drugs. In 2017, nearly 20,000 people died as a result of bloodstream staph infections, according to the CDC.