Senior wrestler Josh Forrest contracted Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, widely known as MRSA, during a clinic at George Mason University before a Division I all-star wrestling meet.

Forrest did not find out that he had MRSA until a week after the event.

“I went to the clinic to check out the infection under my arm,” Forrest said. “They determined that it was MRSA and put me on an antibiotic for a week.”

MRSA is a bacterial infection that enters a person’s body through a cut or wound.

Before each sports season at South Lakes, every athlete is required to watch an educational video about MRSA and how to prevent themselves from contracting the disease.

Wrestling is one of the most common sports related to MRSA infections, due to the amount of open skin contact on the mats and with other athletes.

When asked how MRSA has impacted his season, Forrest said “Not too much, I had to sit out for a week of practice, but besides that is hasn’t affected me”.

MRSA has been known to cause boils, abscesses, septic wounds, heart-valve problems and toxic shock syndrome.  In extreme cases, it can result in death.  Fortunately for Forrest, he only contracted a small staph infection under his right arm.

“The infection did not affect my health at all,” Forrest said

The best way to prevent yourself from contracting MRSA is too keep your body clean and cover up open wounds on your body.