I posted this earlier today for the first time and then it got deleted. Please do not delete this post because it is a serious issue. I also do not mention any wrestler or coaches name, so please leave it up. This is very important to me.
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I have been reading these boards for a while, and I think it's finally time I bring something up that is going to make some people very unhappy. It is about a coach in Kansas wreslting who knowingly spreads disease to wrestlers from other teams: herpes.

A few years ago, a wrestler from a certain 5A school had open herpes sores on his forehead. The coach then sent this wrestler to the mat with a signed doctors note, even though it was obvious the sores were not completely healed. I dont know how the refs didnt stop it? We all know anyone can find a doctor to sign a note if they look hard enough, and this is exactly what the coach and wrestler did for this meet.

What makes it worse is that this wrestler spread his herpes to members of other teams, at least TWO TEAMS at that one tournament. Most wrestling diseases are treatable, but herpes stays with you for LIFE. Our team member quickly spread it to other team members before he was diagnosed and now at least five former team members have herpes for the rest of there lives. I do not know how many people from the other team got herpes, hopefully it is only one.

THis coach and wrestler were unethical and wrong. I know for a fact that the coach is still coaching his current team. What is worse is that the herpes spreading was not an isolated event. The NEXT YEAR this same wrestler had open sores on his forehead and wrestled in a tournament even though it wasn't safe. (The coach has contacted me and said they were "cuts".) I talked to one of my friends from another town who had to wrestle him and he went so far as to tape his forehead in order to stop the disease from spreading to him. I think people should know that even though the offending wrestler taped his herpes sores, it is NOT ENOUGH to stop the spread of this LIFE LONG disease. I also talked to a girl I know who went to
the school, and she said the wrestler made very little effort to control his herpes.

The reason I bring this up is because I and four of my friends have herpes for the rest of our lives. A week ago I had an outbreak on my face that was under my eyelid. If the herpes had gone into my eye, I would have gone BLIND. No wrestling tournament is important enough to endanger wrestlers for life, like this coach
and wrestler did.

Disease is apart of wrestling, everyone knows that. Infantigo goes around all the time, but herpes is different. To knowingly spread something that will stick with others for LIFE is wrong. For the rest of my life, every time I get nervous or have a test to study for or a situation with a girl, I can count that
herpes will pop up on my forehead sooner or later. I love wrestling and think meets are important, but to that coach I ask is spreading a disease really that important. I say no.

I didn't post my name because I don't want to get
anyone I know in trouble. But after last week I new I couldn't stay silent, because I could have gone blind. This coach needs to learn that this is a serious issue and his actions have hurt people. Thanks. And shower after your done ALWAYS.

First of all it is a sad case, but I think you should put where you are from...I think you also need to complain and say the potential name to the KSHSAA to investigate the matter if your claims are true on this coach. But at the same time...make sure you are valid in this accusation, as burnt bridges can come back to get you 10 times worse than a herpes outbreak.

There have been many allegations over the years of wrong doings and such. I know Steroids is a hush hush issue for some, but those who know the after effect know that if you abuse roids and later on in life aren't as active, then you'll balloon up into a chunky slob. I've had people try to pull the well marriage does that to ya line. Marriage doesn't make you put on about 130 pounds in 2 years or so.

I'm sure you look at some people around the state and you can think automatically...oh he's huge, must be roids..or look at his face it's covered with bumps, when it could be acne. Many people would look at guys like Boyle from the old school days at Norton or Bedore of Goodland and think...too big and too built "ROIDS!" You have to gather information to prove your point otherwise people won't believe you. Roids is different from your predicament in that hard work is confused for drugs in one and maybe zits/cuts are confused for herpes...My best advice get all of your proof and then report it...and if all else fails, wear a condom next time you compete against that team (that should stop herpes)

Mr. Sweazy
Did you gather information before you used Jordan and Jeff Boyle as your examples for guys who are "too big and too built." If you know either of these guys you would know that they are workout fanatics. Where are you when Jordan is getting up at 5:30 every morning to go lift(in addition to the weight training class he has in school?) Probably home in bed. When you use steroids and any names in the same sentence many people who read this forum will be confused or have thoughts put in their heads. All of the hard work that these guys have put in now will be questioned by many and I for one take offense to it. Guys who work their butt's off don't need shortcuts.

He was just using them as examples calm down

Sweazy, you always make good points and I usually agree with you. But here I have to agree with PPE. No burned bridge is worth herpes, and if he can shed more light on this kind of unethical coaching, more power to him. I also got the "gift that keeps on giving" from a similar situation, and I will carry the virus in my saccrum until I die. I think that any time there is even a QUESTIONABLE skin condition and the coach sends out his kid to wrestle, it should cost the coach his job.

Just my $.02.

P.S.> no zit could ever be confused for a festering herpes sore. Ever.

I think this herpes thing is very serious. I too know wrestlers who have it, and they're not very happy at all. I also don't know how steriods are connected in any way with herpes, but anyways. This herpes thing is crap, if you know that you have it, please get it taken care of. Covering it up is simply not enough. Please, as a wrestler, and especially as a coach, be responsible, and get it taken care of. If anyone else knows anything about this, please feel free to post.

P.S. People who start herpes outbreaks suck balls.

Very well said by Coach Lane. I must say and this is only my opinion. Wrestlers with the herpes virus should not be allowed to wrestle, ever. Understand this is a disease that you cannot get rid of. I know how much it would suck to not be able to wrestle again but for the good of all others in the wretling community it is for the best. Even if it is in remission and you don't have an outbreak it is possible to contract the virus. As a former wrestler I can say with absolute certainty that if I knew a wrestler which I was going to face had the herpes virus, I would refuse to wrestle him. No wrestling match win can make up for a lifetime living with a virus. I would say to all wrestlers who have this virus please for the sake of every other wrestle don't continue to put them at risk. It is these types of skin conditions that put a black mark on our sport and I know that KSHSAA has continually emphasied the need to clean it up. I don't wish to offend anyone with what I have said, it is my opinion alone.

How do you get herpes in the first place... is it a sexually transmitted desease or what?

Nigel do I understand this correctly? Are you saying that once a wrestler has had herpes, they should never be allowed to wrestle again? I think that is ridiculus. I too got herpes while coaching during that 2002 incident involving Salina South. Our wrestler wrestled Zachary and came down with an infection. It was originally diagnosed as impetigo, so I being a coach, worked out with this individual so he would not spread it to the rest of the team. Obviously it was misdiagnosed and I contracted herpes. It sucks, but to not allow a person to ever wrestle again is ridiculus. If the disease is in remission (no visible sores) it is almost impossible to catch. It is much less virulent than the STD form of herpes. I agree that wrestlers should not wrestle while having an outbreak, but to ban someone forever is way too harsh. I would bet that a large percentage have been exposed to the Herpes virus, even if you have never had an outbreak. Coldsores are another form of the disease. Chickenpocs and Shingles are also members of the Herpes virus, so should anyone that has had chickenpocs not be allowed to wrestle?

Lets not go overboard here. Herpes does suck, but if you take meds early in an outbreak it really is not too big of a deal. Also there is evidence that it will "burn itself out" in 10-15 years, so it may not even be life long.

Just my opinion too.

When most people think of Herpes they think of Herpes Simplex I being the STD. Not the less violent simplexes like II and III. Major difference but im guessin they are tsill very painful and embarrasing. Sorry to anyone who has had to deal with that crap!

I respect your opinion coach but why continue to let the problem escalate. I think as of now the situation is under control, with that situation involving Coach Lane being the last major outbreak in Kansas. But given time it will surface again I believe. I remember a couple of years ago when there was a huge outbreak of ringworm that rendered several teams around the state unable to wrestle. But that is a fungus and it can be gotten rid of. Herpes however you cannot get rid of. I know its not going to happen and those with herpes will still be allowed to wrestle but as a coach and official I don't believe it is right.

"If you want to walk with the blind man, so be it. But me? My eyes are wide f'n open."
--Jules, Pulp Fiction

Nigel--This is not a problem that came up in the last couple of years, nor is it a problem that is going away anytime soon (That is...unless coaches start making good decisions about letting oozing wrestlers compete). Sad as it may be, this type of s... is here to stay.

Hey, PPP...I have the
Herp too, but mine is from a national tournament.
Herpes 4 lyfe.

No it won't be going away soon as long as people are allowed to wrestle with it. I think I read somewhere that at least 50% of americans are carrying at least one form of the herpes virus.

Coach Lane:

Thank you for coming forth with the explanation. You are to be commended for the courage to come forward.

As we all know there are two sides to every story, and as unfortunate as it is, this type of stuff happens. Was a mistake made? You trusted the advice of a medical professional, and exercised good judgment for all involved parties. As best as I can determine, all rules were followed.

I do not believe a wrestler, with a single cold sore (herpes) on his mouth, should be banned from wrestling. If the problem is more severe, than appropriate measures should be implemented, to include the wrestler sitting out until the affected area no longer poses a danger.

I have suffered from cold sores (herpes) since my youth, and still, from time to time, have an occasional outbreak.

Nigel, by your logic, if a student is hit by an automobile in a cross walk, should we ban all students from using cross walks, ban all automobiles, or ban all crosswalks?

American College of Sports Medicine
P.O. Box 1440
Indianapolis, IN
46206-1440

November 17, 2003

For immediate release

ORGANIZATIONS PLAN TO REDUCE HERPES GLADIATORUM OUTBREAKS THROUGH EARLIER DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

American College of Sports Medicine and National Federation of State High School Associations to address widespread infection among athletes in high school wrestling programs

INDIANAPOLIS – The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) are collaborating to conduct a timely and thorough review of high school wrestling health and safety guidelines, addressing one of the most common infections caused by athletic activity: herpes gladiatorum. Herpes gladiatorum (HG), a virus that causes skin lesions on the body, is highly contagious through personal contact during wrestling practice and competition. Prevention techniques are the focus of this collaboration, since early and accurate detection and comprehensive treatment, rather than mat and equipment cleanliness, are increasingly recognized as more effective in containing and minimizing the risk of exposure.

Young athletes at risk of developing HG are typically wrestlers who engage in the lock-up position, which places the face, neck, and arms of the opposing wrestlers in close contact. Lesions indicative of the skin disorder generally occur on the face, neck, and arms as a result, accompanied by symptoms such as inflamed skin rash, sore throat, general malaise, fever, and the appearance of clustered vesicles, which are small fluidcontaining elevations of the skin.

ACSM and NFHS, the rule-making governing body for high school sports, will work to ensure that medical professionals more closely monitor systemic signs or symptoms to diagnose and treat herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), the virus precursor for HG, and require the swift withdrawal of wrestlers from participation until a diagnosis can confirm or rule out infection. In smaller schools and districts with limited athletic personnel, ACSM and NFHS will provide educational resources for coaches, who are often the first and most efficient individual to screen wrestlers for suspicious skin conditions. Further, the organizations will work with athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers to emphasize that mat disinfection and personal cleanliness, while important, may reduce but will not prevent the types of outbreaks seen in the upper extremities of the body.

A clinical evaluation appearing in the November issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise®, the official scientific journal of ACSM, calls for a review of standards to address numerous outbreaks that have occurred among high school wrestlers in the past 13 years. Specifically, the author studied and tracked an outbreak involving 19 high schools during a 1999 Minnesota state high school wrestling tournament. This outbreak demonstrated extensive transmission can occur in a short period of time, as wrestlers on seven out of nine teams, and ultimately 61 wrestlers and three coaches contracted HG. Based on this clinical evaluation, preventative factors, including increased vigilance to potential misdiagnosis by individual’s physicians who may not understand how the viral infection develops and spreads, are recommended as key to avoiding and controlling future outbreaks.

ACSM members will work within NFHS networks to develop opportunities for qualified and certified healthcare providers to implement early detection and rapid diagnosis efforts on local levels. This will enhance on-site screenings and skin checks, provide an educational mechanism to culture samples from suspicious skin lesions, and develop a protocol for promptly removing questionable individuals from participation, as well as prescribing a course of treatment before allowing return to play.

“These outbreaks gave us solid and viable information to help governing bodies assess guidelines for youth sports,” said William O. Roberts, M.D., ACSM president-elect. “Team physicians, researchers, and the institutions that support them know that health education and disease prevention is like technology—there are always better answers out there.

ACSM and NFHS are dedicated to looking forward to ways to protect young athletes and supply coaches and trainers with the information they need to avoid future occurrences in this sport.”

The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 20,000 International, National, and Regional members are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.

NOTE: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise® is the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, and is available from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins at 1-800- 638-6423. For a complete copy of the research paper Vol. 35, No. 11, pages 1809-1814 or to speak with a leading sports medicine expert on the topic, contact the Communications and Public Information department at 317-637-9200 ext. 127 or 117. Visit ACSM online at http://www.acsm.org.

This mailbox is for the delivery of messages only. Replies to this message may not be read. For more information, contact
ACSM at (317) 637-9200. Thank you!

While we're on this subject; why do we make such a huge deal out of ringworms? What do they lead to?? I think we've all seen or heard of a wrestler miss out on state due to something that they thought was a zit, but in the morning looked more like a ringworm. I have talked to a few doctors about it, and they have all said that it is not a serious concern. They have also said that even if we set every kid out that shows a visible worm, it is still being spread, so we are not stopping it. We need to keep using good, fresh mat cleaner and KinSheild.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want it or want it in our room, but it's not like it leads to blindness or life threatening disease. Furthermore, if we took the rule off of the books, I doubt it would become worse. Kids are not going to ignore it, because it is not the most attractive thing in the world.

And yes, I do set kids out and require proper paperwork before they return. This year we've only had a couple of cases. I just hate that we freak out over it and kids miss out on lifelong memories for such an insignificant problem.

Have a great state meet!

Let me start by saying I do not know if it is right to release the wrestlers name on a public forum stating that he has a disease such as herpes. I do not know him personally but for many having herpes is a serious issue that they would like to keep private.

I understand that mistakes are made and I appreciate Coach Lanes appology. I hope it is sincere. What troubles me is that he states that the doctor thought it was a staff infection. I looked at pictures of both and they do not seem similar at all. Both are gross, though. It seems to me that any doctor should know the difference between staff and herpes. I do not know if the doctor was incompetant or was one of the doctors who "look the other way." But I will just guess he was incompetant because I don't want to accuse anyone of something that bad.

But I still have a question. If you thought that the wrestler had staff infection, why would you still send him to wrestle. It seems to me that staff is also very dangerous and someone should not with it.

Again thank you Coach Lane for responding and leaving this topic up this time. I hope I can trust what your saying.

Perhaps I was misunderstood. A simple cold sore on the mouth is not in my mind something that terrible. However having outbreaks as listed above is definate cause for not wrestling. Lock-n-load. As I stated before there are several different types of HSV, depending on which type you have could be a determining factor for not wrestling. Furthermore Im not saying any rules should be made to say a wrestler can't wrestle. I'm saying that a wrestler who exhibits outbreak characteristics should self exculde himself from exposing himself to other wrestlers whether he has reoccuring outbreaks or not. As for the ringworm Ryan. Its mearly a visual thing that the NFHS frowns upon. In their eyes it makes the sport look "dirty" And suggests that people who don't know the condition may not want to get their kids involved becuase they think wrestlers don't have good hygine.

If a wrestler has herpes on his forehead, or anywhere on his face, couldn't he just wear a mask to prevent contact with another wrestler?