Hey Dustin,

Maybe the hardwork needs to be had by you in the reading department. If you didn't understand what I said you could have asked someone for help to explain.

That means these guys bust their ***, while people try to accuse them of other things...It's been implied by other people on these two studs...I'm going to bat for them...I never said they do roids...I said people confuse roids with hard work. Now you go work hard and take that remedial reading course...

I know some people wont like me bringing this back up, but I still think it matters a little bit. I appreciate Coach Lane's appologies, but I still have a question on the excuse of a doctors mistake.

If this doctor made a mistake, how do we know thath you are not sending wrestlers to him or her to this day? We all know that doctors can be found who will 'look the other way' sometimes, so how do we know this isnt being used now? Also since you disclosed both your name and the wrestlers name I think it is only fair that you disclose the doctors name as well.

Other schools in Salina as well as people from other schools should be aware that this doctor obviously is incompetant on the issues of skin diseases in wrestlers. (Not saying I am competant but I think better doctors could be found.) His or her name should be posted so that people with skin diseases go to a doctor where they will get accurate treatment. Thank you.

I had an interesting conversation with a Dr. Schwarting before the finals at state Saturday. I expressed to him about how much I was opposed to wrestlers being allowed to wrestle with the herpes virus. He was in complete agreement with me. He mentioned several things that even I was not aware about the particualar disease. While herpes cuases the person it affects to experience uncomfortableness its really not fatal at all. However if you carry the virus you put others at risk of contracting the disease. Once thing he metnioned specifically is that if a wrestler were to spread the disease to a female such as his girlfriend/wife and she were to have a baby that baby is at signficant risk for brith defects from the virus. This includes blindness and several others. The virus itself can cause blindness in the carrier should an outbreak occur around the eyes. Unfortunaly I don't really think very many people understand the seriousness of this disease. I don't really want to make this a big issue myself. All I am saying and asking is for some common sense among the wrestling community. Honestly if you are a known carrier of any if the simplexes you really need to not think about yourself and think about everyone else you are putting at risk by your refusal to self exclude yourself from wrestling. Beleive me I know how much its sucks to not be able to wrestle (mind is an old injury) But if it meant not putting fellow wrestlers at risk I would give up wrestling in the competitive manner. If you need or want any more information about this disease or you truly don't understand or want to believe how bad it is, please speak with your family physician and he will give you the run down on it. In the mean time I expect some sort of word to come down from the NFHS about this particular issue and im pretty sure its not going to be good for those affected.

Nigel- how would you propose to keep a record of all who have ever had a herpes outbreak on their forehead? Would you include "cold sores" as well? What about chicken pocs or shingles, since these are all forms of the herpes virus.
Your solution will only encourage wrestlers to avoid getting proper diagnosis. I know that if I were faced with possibly never wrestling again as a high school junior, I would NOT have gone to a doctor for anything!!! Your solution will only serve to make the problem worse. The chance for infection when someone is not having an outbreak is very small. I too agree that wrestlers should not wrestle with active outbreaks, but once they have cleared up there should be nothing stopping them from getting back on the mat. Wrestlers take a risk, albeit it a calculated one, every time they step on the mat. The risk of injury is far greater than the risk of contracting herpes from someone who's herpes is dormant. I think this whole topic has been overblown, and don't say that I don't know what I am talking about because I do. I have herpes. I have not had an outbreak for over a year. Does this mean I shouldn't wrestle with the kids I am coaching? I do not think they are at risk of contracting the virus. If I did, I wouldn't be wrestling with them. I think this is a knee jerk reaction, and is completely overboard. I seriously doubt the NFHS will signifigantly change its policy any tim in the near future.

Purple People Eater asks:

1. "but I still have a question on the excuse of a doctors mistake."

Answer: National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) 2003-2004 Rules Book, Rule 4, Section 2, Article 3 (page 15) states, "If a participant is suspected by the referee or coach of having a communicable skin disease or any other condition that makes participation appear inadvisable, his coach shall provide current written documentation from a physician stating that the suspected disease or condition is not communicable and that the athlete's participation would not be harmful to his opponent. This documnent shall be furnished at the weigh-in or prior to competition in the dual meet or tournament. Covering a communicable condition shall not be considered acceptable and does not make the wrestler eligible to participate."

2. "If this doctor made a mistake, how do we know thath you are not sending wrestlers to him or her to this day?"

Answer: Coach Lane did not say he sent the wrestler to the doctor. The wrestler went to his personal physician.

3. "We all know that doctors can be found who will 'look the other way' sometimes, so how do we know this isnt being used now?"

Answer: You do not know!

4. "Also since you disclosed both your name and the wrestlers name I think it is only fair that you disclose the doctors name as well."

Answer: The affected athlete participated in a wrestling event at a public high school, in view of the general public. The wrestler provided a skin condition form signed by a physician in order to participate, thereby waiving any perceived right to privacy the wrestler may have had. The involved wrestler, and only the involved wrestler, may disclose the name of the physician.

Physicians are licensed, and if you have any additional concerns, I suggest you contact the appropriate licensing boards.

Coach Lane followed the rules set forth by the NFHS.

What happened to you is unfortunate, however dredging up the past and harboring ill will certainly is not the answer to the problem.

As you well know, no one forced you to step on the mat and participate.

I applaud Nigel for thinking this issue is a serious one, because it is. However, I think you are overreacting when you say we should ban wrestlers from competition.

As to what you say, SichardDRalyer, I see no problem with releasing the doctor's name. Why is it that the wrestler is the only one who may disclose the name? (I hardly think saying you were misdiagnosed is against the law.) The doctor made a mistake and he should be held accountable so that other wrestlers do not make the mistake of going to that doctor again.

If I had a brain tumor and a doctor mistakenly diagnosed it as a headache, I would want people with possible brain tumors to get the best possible care. While this issue is less severe, it doesn't make the doctor's inability to diagnose skin conditions any less relevant.

And congrats on your 900th post.

P.S. Coachtwink--isn't your sister a Norton cheerleader? Hmm? You never answered...

Prant:

The problem lies in federal statute regarding release of personal medical information.

If Prant had a brain tumor and a doctor mistakenly diagnosed it as a headache, Prant would want people with possible brain tumors to get the best possible care. Prant would have the right to disclose any information regarding his condition he so desired. Another individual who had knowledge of the condition in a professional capacity (coach), has a duty not to disclose that information.

The condition is inclusive of the diagnosis and the individual who performed the diagnosis.

If the wrestler's name can be released by the coach, as it has been in this case, what is to stop him from releasing the doctor's name?

The doctor has a responsibility to diagnose patients correctly--if a business sells bad meat, the name of the business is released. If a company hires illegal workers, the name of the company is released. If a doctor is endangering public health, their name should be released.

Finally, the name of the wrestler does not even have to be released in this case. One can simply name the doctor who performed the incorrect diagnosis and keep the wrestler's identity completely anonymous.

While I usually respect your opinion, I would like to know the statute to which you are referring.

The wrestler participated in a public wrestling event.

The doctor - patient relationship has long been held to be confidential.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") - HIPAA establishes national minimum standards on the collection, maintenance, access, use and disclosure of "protected health information" ("PHI"). To the extent the state laws provide greater privacy protections that do not contradict HIPAA, the state laws will control.

Prant I think you misread what I wrote. I did not state wrestlers should be banned from wrestling. I've said several times now that I believe wrestlers with the condition should SELF EXCLUDE themselfs from wrestling. In other words they should choose not to participate in wrestling and exposing others. Coachtwink I do not know you personally so I can't speak for who you are as a person. But I promise you if it were my kid practicing, wrestling, or whatever I would make sure they didn't expose themselfs to you. Not becuase you are dirty or anything like that. But for the simple fact that you are a known carrier of your own admission. Now you talked about shingles. That is Herpes Zoster which most people develop an immunity (to the breakout) after having their first outbreak of chicken pox (caused by the same virus) at a very young age.
We are talking about Hepres Simplex 1 here. Cold sores are part of HSV1. However outbreaks and things of that nature definatly qualify.

For those who really don't understand what were talking about here let me offer you a link. Pay special attention to the passage where it states, contrary to your assumption coachtwink that is is very possible to contract this disease even without an outbreak. Its right there under the FAQ's

http://www.aad.org/pamphlets/herpes.html

Also take note of the serious implifications of HSV.

I hope this has shed some light on what I was saying. I don't condone banning someone from wrestling simply becuase they have the disease. But I would hope in the interest of other wrestlers safety they would self exclude themselfs. Coachtwink im going to say this only because I truely belevie it. If you really do know you have the disease I think you are doing every wrestler your around a great diservice by continuing to expose them to the virus. I would think as a Coach your moral standards would be higher than that. As I said before im not going to pass judgement becuase I don't know you. But please reconsider what you are doing.

In spite of every coaches and manager's effort to keep every practice room and contest area free of communicable skin diseases/disorders, it pops up every once in awhile. Up to now, I have been a disciple of the " hide that stuff and wrestle" philosophy, and thanks to mr. Purple people eater, and Nigel's relating the seriousness of Herpes virus from his conversation with Dr. Schwarting, I will now be much more attentive of any irregularity on my son's skin before practice and contests. It is my responsibility, and my son's, to not be a part of an outbreak if we know that there is a problem evident on his skin. If you look at part one of Richard's post 906, you see that ANY communicable skin disorder is prohibited. That would include a staph infection. I guess I never really thought past how badly my son wants to compete when considering a skin problem. from now on, I will view this problem (should it arise) with the seriousness that it deserves, even if it is a staph infection, I wouldn't want someone to give it to my son if he knew he had it, because he wouldn't be able to wrestle either. Thanks to Purple people eater, Richard Salyer, and Dr. Shwarting through Nigel, for a better view of my responsibilities to others.

Mr. Salyer,

I have dealt with HIPAA before at a place of employment ("The HIPAA Hippo says, 'Do not disclose any private health information!'") and as far as I understand, it strictly deals with disclosing health information of the PATIENT, not the doctor.

If a doctor is sued of malpractice, their name is disclosed. How is this any different? Doctors are held accountable for their work, as are teachers, construction workers, dentists, etc. Doctor/patient relationships are not violated by disclosing the physician's name. That would be a Patient/Doctor confidentiality issue, which there are no laws to protect.

Bottom line--this doctor is incapable of diagnosing skin disease, and therefore her name should be released, as it is a PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN. You wouldn't say, "A fast food restaurant in your town is distributing dangerous meat...but we won't tell you which one. Enjoy your burgers!"

And thanks, Mr. Fairleigh for coming around. I too have herpes, and I think it may have been caused by that same attitude you shared with us.

Prant: Just a Thought-- How many viruses, diseases, and disorders and just plain gross things do you think got transferred from the coliseum floors , bathrooms, etc (that NO ONE attached any importance to keeping clean in any way) to the mats and then to the wrestlers at state? when you compare the attitude of the Hays folks and the Coliseum staff you definitely get the "can't see the forest for the $$$$" syndrome. UUGGHH!!!!

The doctor obviously is not covered by HIPPA. He does have recourse if he is slandered. Although 99 percent of the information may be correct, he could argue that any mistaken info damaged him and thus have a case for slander. Coach Lane had no authority to talk about the medical condition of any of his wrestlers (HIPPA) until the wrestler gave it to him. If the wrestler is not 18, he still does not have the authority unless the wrestlers parent or guardian gave it.

Private health information is inclusive of all information relating to your personal health condition, including the physician(s) involved.

The patient is the only party who may disclose their personal health information, PERIOD!

The wrestler participated in an activity at a public high school, in view of the general public, and provided a medical waiver in order to participate. The student, like it or not, waived his/her right to privacy, and any expectation he/she may have had to privacy. The medical waiver is considered confidential.

Were Mr. Lane to provide the name of the physician in a public forum, he would not be guilty of slander. Slander is what you say.

Libel is what you write.

Lastly, the identity of the parties involved in a lawsuit only becomes public when the lawsuit is filed in the appropriate District Court.

I can disclose any information about me I desire. If I hire a professional (doctor, lawyer, C.P.A., etc.) I have a right to privacy which by law must be honored.

Trust me!

I would mention Mike that is not my intent to start a panic among parents and other people. Only to raise awareness of a growing problem. Frankly im a little disappointed in the lax attitude of some of the people in this situation. Simply ignoring the problem, trying to hide it, or believing myths that it can't be spread without outbreaks only makes the problem worse. Let me restate that this disease in probably more than 99.9% of cases is not fatal. Its not meant to be a disease that kills you. But it can cause ugly scares, puts a blanket of doubt on our great sport, has possible serious effects to infants of carriers and yes even to the carrier themselfs. Honestly I don't want to make a big issue out of this, only to raise the awareness to the people who don't even know its going on, and perhaps to even get some people to stop exposing others to something they know they have. There really is no way to get rid of this desease but we can all certainly reduce the risk of spreading it if we do the right things. Just food for thought.

Salyer. It is quite clear that you know nothing about HIPPA. Personally, I found the days of meetings I sat in on the topic quite boring and won't try to bore anyone else.

fanatic:

Perhaps I am mistaken, however I think not.

I do know the differance between libel and slander.

I have to agree with fanatic on this one. I had to sit through hours of HIPAA videos to work at Big Lakes Developmental Center (best job ever), and was constantly reminded by the HIPAA Hippo.

You may know the difference between libel and slander, but you obviously do not know the meaning of the word. Libel and slander have to do with things that intentionally harm a career and that are untrue. This seems to be a matter where no one is denying that a mistake was made--thus the accusation that a doctor misdiagnosed a patient is 100% true. (I know about libel and slander--I was accused of it in high school after calling KU head football coach Mark Mangino "Fatgino." Was it libelous? No. He's fat. Was it in poor taste? Probably. Was it hilarious? Absolutely.) Take a high school journalism class and you should get things straightened out.

Perhaps I can have this hit closer to home. You have two kids, both wrestlers, correct? Would you want your child wrestling someone who had a signed doctors note from someone who has a history of misdiagnosing patients with skin diseases? Are you willing to pay the medical bills and risk your sons' eligibility at future tournaments because a bad doctor okayed someone to wrestle?

I have herpes. It isn't pretty. The medicine is up to $100 a bottle. (Yikes.) It is breaking no law to release the doctor's name in this situation, or in any situation where a doctor is at fault. Even doctors are held accountable for their actions, especially if they are true.

Prant--I believe you forgot to add "swish"