Wrestling with herpes

Pediatrics for Parents, Nov, 2003

Sprains, strains, and bruises are the injuries you expect from wrestling. However, herpes gladiatorum, a skin disease caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), is very common among wrestlers.

Wrestlers with herpes gladiatorum have small blisters, technically called vesicles, just like those seen on children with chickenpox. The disease is spread by contact. When a wrestler with herpes gladiatorum rubs against an uninfected wrestler, there's a good chance the disease will be spread, especially if the uninfected wrestler's skin is bruised or scraped.

Herpes gladiatorum is most commonly found on wrestlers' heads and necks, and usually on the right side. Most wrestling holds involve the head and neck, and most wrestlers are right handed.

At wrestling camps, where adolescents spend many hours honing their skills, herpes gladiatorum is a significant problem. Many camps have daily mandatory skin checks of all wrestlers and coaches. Yet, even with the inspections, between 5 and 30% of the participants have herpes gladiatorum. One way to interpret this finding is that the viral shedding occurs even before the blisters appear.

Valtrex (generic name valacyclovir) is an anti-viral drug used to treat herpes. When given to wrestling camp participants before camp begins and taken for the duration of the camp, there was a 94% reduction in the number of cases of herpes gladiatorum. Of the three wrestlers atone camp who developed the problem, one didn't receive the medicine and the other two had chronic herpes infections.

A little bit of prevention, in this case a daily dose of valacyclovir, can make a big difference. Herpes gladiatorum, although hot a medically serious, can put a crimp in a wrestler's career.

Family Practice News, 11/15/03.