Health & Safety

One of the keys to preventing the spread of the antibiotic-resistant skin infection or "super bug" known as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is proper identification and treatment of suspicious skin lesions.  The infection often looks like an ordinary skin wound or boil,  which may look harmless but rapidly develops into large abscesses within 24 to 48 hours. Diagnosis is difficult. Treatment with penicillin-related antibiotics is ineffective.

While skin infections, including MRSA, are reported most often in sports with frequent physical contact, skin contact or activities that may lead to the spread of MRSA skin infections may take place before or after participation in a sport with little physical contact.  Therefore, anyone participating in organized or recreational sports should be aware of the signs of possible skin infections and follow prevention measures.

Community-acquired or CA-MRSA is non-invasive, less dangerous than MRSA in hospital setting; no need for parents and athletes to panic.

Kids are especially susceptible to hand injuries while playing sports.   Here are some prevention and treatment tips.

Emergency treatment advice in the event your child suffers a serious dental injury while playing sports.

It was the evening of December 2, 2000. My 15 year-old son, Greg, was playing basketball for Notre Dame High School against cross-town rival East Stroudsburg North High School in rural Pike County, Pennsylvania. It was the very first game in the school's brand new multi-million dollar gymnasium. Befitting the occasion, the game was on local television.

Rehabilitation is the process of using exercise, manual therapy (massage and manipulation), and therapeutic devices, such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation, to help an injured athlete heal so they can return to sports. It is usually supervised by physical therapists, who recommend a set of exercises for the athlete to do at home to speed the recovery process by restoring range of motion, muscle strength, and aerobic fitness after an injury.

The primary function of a personal flotation device (PFD) (what used to be called a life jacket) is to keep your child afloat, with his mouth well above water so he can breath. It's critical that the PFD you pick for child meets this test.

According to a recent survey, almost 80 percent of U.S. adults believe they need to drink eight glasses of water each day to stay hydrated while 72 percent do not believe they get adequate amounts of water from their daily diets and typical drinking habits.