Mat herpes, also known as Herpes gladiatorum or wrestling herpes, is a skin infection affecting individuals in contact sports. Understanding its contagious period is important for managing its spread.
What is Mat Herpes
Mat herpes is a skin infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1), the same virus responsible for oral herpes (cold sores). This condition often manifests on the skin, particularly in areas susceptible to friction or trauma, such as the face, arms, legs, or trunk. Symptoms typically appear between two and twelve days after exposure.
Initial symptoms include a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fever, or a tingling sensation on the skin. These are followed by clusters of fluid-filled blisters that may be painful or itchy. The blisters then break open, crust over, and heal within seven to ten days.
How Long Mat Herpes is Contagious
Mat herpes is most contagious when active lesions are present. During this period, the virus actively sheds from lesion sites, making skin-to-skin contact a high-risk route for transmission. Contagiousness typically persists until lesions have fully crusted over and new skin has formed underneath. Athletes should avoid participation in contact sports until all blisters are fully scabbed over, with no new blisters appearing, and no swollen lymph nodes near the lesions for 72 hours.
Individuals can remain contagious even after visible sores heal or without noticeable symptoms. This is known as asymptomatic shedding, where the virus can still transmit, though usually at lower viral loads than active outbreaks. The virus resides in the body for life and can reactivate periodically, leading to recurring outbreaks. While recurrent episodes might be milder, they are considered just as contagious as the initial infection. Medical guidance is important for accurate assessment of contagiousness, especially for athletes returning to competition.
Preventing Spread and Infection
Preventing the spread of mat herpes is crucial for those involved in contact sports. Avoiding direct skin-to-skin contact is crucial when active lesions are present, requiring refraining from sports like wrestling or other close physical activities during an outbreak.
Maintaining strict personal hygiene practices minimizes transmission. This includes showering immediately after practice with soap and water, and frequent handwashing. Personal items, such such as towels and razors, should not be shared. Cleaning shared equipment, like wrestling mats and headgear, daily with appropriate disinfectants is important.
Recognizing symptoms and seeking prompt medical attention are important. Antiviral medications can reduce the severity and duration of outbreaks. Early treatment, ideally within 24 hours of symptoms appearing, can significantly shorten the infection course. Some sports organizations implement screening protocols to examine athletes for lesions before practices or competitions to prevent spread.