MRSA

MRSA’s originates from the medical family “Staphylococci” (pronounced: -koök'si¯, -koök'i¯); commonly known as “Staph.” MRSA is a specific strain that has developed antibiotic resistance to all penicillin’s’, including methicillin and other narrow-spectrum ?-lactamase-resistant penicillin antibiotics. Although traditionally viewed as a hospital-associated infection, strains in the community have appeared recently. MRSA is what is known as the “superbug.”

Because MRSA originates in your healthy nose and on your healthy skin it can easily transfer to your equipment (hockey pads, bunker gear and gloves for example) where information is passed between in and of itself to then grow and reproduce. If you then have an open wound (even if it’s on the mend) and put it into the equipment MRSA will absorb into your blood stream causing problems such as boils to even flesh eating disease. Therefore, if your equipment is not cleaned and sanitized properly you can continue to pass MRSA around and eventually infect yourself.

Strep

Strep originates from the medical family “Streptococcaceae” (pronounced: strep·t?·käk?sa¯s·e¯?e¯); commonly known as “Strep and/or Strep Throat.” Strep is a painful inflammation in the throat; infection of the tonsils (tonsillitis) may occur at the same time. The major cause is infection – 90% is viral. The species is also responsible for several cases of bacterial pneumonia, ‘flesh-eating’ bacterial infections, and meningitis.

Strep can be found on every doorknob you touch or on every piece of gear you use or wear. It is commonly transferred from person to person through different types of contact, especially through the hands. If you keep yourself clean and healthy and do your best to ensure your gear is really cleaned, sanitized and protected you can help decrease the spread of Strep everywhere.

Norwalk Virus

Norris’s originates from the medical family “Caliciviridae” (pronounced: kal?i-si¯-vi¯?raö-de¯); commonly known as the “Norwalk Virus.” Historically, the virus has been named after the places where his outbreaks occurred, (Norwalk, Ohio – 1968). Ever since, it has been appearing in close-packed populations such as schools and change rooms where sweaty, used equipment (i.e., any soft-padding gear) is the breading ground and people are able to pass it around very easily.

Norwalk Virus is slow to reproduce but resilient nonetheless. It can cause symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, as well as general lethargy and weakness; and can sometimes be mistaken as the stomach flu, winter vomiting disease or even food poisoning. Cleaning with Esporta Edmonton can reduce and even eliminate risks of contracting and passing around nasty viruses like the Norwalk Virus.

Mould

There are thousands of known species of moulds, which include opportunistic pathogens, exclusive saprotrophs, aquatic species and thermophiles. Mould is everywhere in our environment. In nature mold performs an important function of feeding on and therefore breaking down organic matter, when mould is in your sports gear, guess what it is doing!! These microbes need very little to survive and love the food sources and moisture levels typically found in lots of sports gear.

Mould can cause or aggravate a number of ailments. Common results of mould invading your equipment are asthma, pneumonitis, upper respiratory problems, dry cough, skin rashes, upset stomach, headaches and bloody noses not to mention the deterioration of your gear.

Ringworm

Ringo Worm originates from the medical family “Tinea” (pronounced: tiön'e¯-?); commonly known as “Ringworm.” Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection affecting various parts of the skin. Although it suggests it in the name, it does not emerge because of a worm. Ringworm is an itchy, pesky nuisance. It's name comes from his appearance - it will look like one or more red raised itchy patches with defined edges which are often lighter in the center creating a “ring” type look. If it shows up in hairy areas then bald patches may appear. If it infects your nails then they may thicken, discolour, crumble and eventually fall off. Ringworm spreads very quickly – you may be infected and contagious before you even show symptoms.

Ringworm can spread easily through skin-to-skin contact making sports like Wresting and Boxing breeding grounds for the disease. It can also be spread through contaminated items such as personal hygene objects (hairbrushes), tainted sporting gear, and household objects.