Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Athletes

Abstract

The sports medicine physician may face challenging issues regarding infectious diseases when dealing with teams or highly competitive athletes who have difficulties taking time off to recover. One must treat the individual sick athlete and take the necessary precautions to contain the spread of communicable disease to the surrounding team, staff, relatives, and other contacts. This article reviews preventive strategies for infectious disease in athletes, including immunization recommendations and prophylaxis guidelines, improvements in personal hygiene and prevention of spread of infectious organisms by direct contact, insect-borne disease precautions, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. A special emphasis on immunizations focuses on pertussis, influenza, and meningococcal prophylaxis.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Consensus Statement on periodic health evaluation of elite athletes March 2009

“…First, it is established that during intense training and immediately following competitions, there is evidence of immune suppression in athletes that could predispose them to infective disease 59 60. Second, acute systemic infective illness is a contraindication to participation in sports because of the risk of viral myocarditis, organ injury (splenomegaly) and in some cases increased risk of transmission of the infective illness to fellow athletes 61 62 63. Third, the PHE provides an opportunity to assess whether an athlete has been immunised against infective conditions, including those that may be associated with international travel to specific regions.…”

“…Third, the PHE provides an opportunity to assess whether an athlete has been immunised against infective conditions, including those that may be associated with international travel to specific regions. There are a number of infective illnesses that could be considered when performing a PHE, and these have been reviewed recently 61 62…”

Public Health Recommendations for Athletes Attending Sporting Events

“…Prevention recommendations for athletes attending such events can be event specific 1 or focused on particular risks, such as acquisition of communicable diseases. 2 No major public health problems occurred during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, despite the declaration by the World Health Organization of an influenza pandemic just 8 months before the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games. Careful public health planning likely helped to minimize potential risks and included specific advance recommendations for participating athletes.…”

Infectious Disease in Athletes

“…Symptomatic individuals should cough or sneeze on their sleeve, not their hand, and avoid public gatherings, if possible. Influenza vaccine has an efficacy of 70% to 90% in the under-65-yrold population, so athletes without contraindications should get immunized annually (29).…”