26
May
2015
|
09:20 AM
America/Chicago

Can life-threatening bacteria spread on school sports equipment?

A Florida family claims their 16-year-old son contracted MRSA from his high-school football helmet, but  Dr. Jason Newland of Children's Mercy says most cases are transferred through skin-to-skin contact.

THE NOW, a national news show, spoke with Dr.  Newland about MRSA and safety tips for families: 

"I think most likely it came from the skin, got on the helmet and now the helmet is going to look like it because that's where the abrasions are, but it probably didn't originate from the helmet," said Newland.

30 percent of all people have the bacteria on their skin, and warm weather causes carriers to develop local infections or boil.

"We do see a lot more of it in the summer and it makes sense bacteria love warm moist environments," said Newland. "That's what they like. That's how they grow."

Watch the interview and read the article here.

Source: 7 News Denver (ABC)