It is important for school athletics professionals to coordinate infection control efforts with school health professionals, residential services, and other colleagues to effectively prevent and control infections such as MRSA.

Practicing good hygiene is the best way to prevent getting and spreading MRSA infections and many other infections. Encourage athletes to:

• Keep hands clean by washing them frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel.
• Shower with soap and water as soon as possible after direct contact sports, and use a clean, dry towel.
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
• Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
• Not share towels (even on the sidelines at a game), soap, razors, or other personal care items.
• Not share ointments or antibiotics.
• Wash towels, uniforms, scrimmage shirts, and any other laundry in hot water and ordinary detergent, and dry on the hottest cycle after each use. Inform parents of these precautions if laundry is sent home (laundry must be in an impervious container or plastic bag for transporting home).
• Avoid whirlpools or common hot tubs, especially when having open wounds, scrapes, or scratches.
• Inform their coach or athletic trainer if they think they have a skin infection.

In addition, develop procedures for cleaning athletic area and equipment, and educating staff and athletes about these procedures:

• Clean the athletic area and sports equipment routinely—at least weekly—using a commercial disinfectant or a fresh (mixed daily) solution of 1 part bleach to 100 parts water (1 tablespoon bleach to 1 quart of water).
• Clean mats and other high-use equipment before each practice and several times a day throughout a tournament, using a commercial disinfectant or a fresh (mixed daily) solution of 1 part bleach to 100 parts water (1 tablespoon bleach to 1 quart of water).