WP: A Frightening Off-Field Foe (About Brandon Noble)

[HOF44]

New article on Brandon Noble. Interesting read on staph infections in the NFL.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/26/AR2006012602171.html

[Monte51Coleman]

This issue was also the subject of a segment on this months edition of Real Sports on HBO. It primarily effects linemen and linebackers.

[G-Prime]

Great article thanks for posting.. I hope he recovers fully

[fight_on_til_you_have_won]

This issue was also the subject of a segment on this months edition of Real Sports on HBO. It primarily effects linemen and linebackers.

I caught that segment too. Sounds like a pretty nasty infection. FYI, for any and all, it's staph infection, not "staff."

[photo4u]

New article on Brandon Noble. Interesting read on staff infections in the NFL.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/26/AR2006012602171.html

Good article.

Got to be careful. Now I don't feel too bad when I tell my son to wash his hands all the time.

[dchogs]

sad story. i really liked his blue-collar worth ethic. a shame we never really saw much of him on the field.

[skinsaddict]

i can speak from personal expirience that Brandon is a great guy and an incredible person.

i am sorry he did not pan out like everyone hoped, he is a Gibbs guy through and through.

[Fred Jones]

I just don't think Noble will be able to come back or should come back. He has to gain back 30 pounds and get himself back into playing shape. On top of that he may get the infection again. The doctors don't know how he got in the first place. Enjoy life, get into coaching and call it a day. I know Brown was offered a job, but was Noble on the coaching staff?

[inmate running the asylum]

Here is some more information on this disease which can be quite deadly. The problem evidently is that the bacteria has developed a resistance to antibiotics. That is why it is not a good idea to use antibiotics unless you ABSOLUTELY need them. Too many people try to get antibiotics from their doctor for the flu, for which antibiotics have no effect, because it is a virus. The only thing this accomplishes is next time they REALLY need antibiotics, they may be less effective.

Jack Snow, Rams WR and broadcaster dies at age 62:

January 10, 2006

Staph bacteria are a common cause of skin infections. Healthy people might carry the bacteria on their skin and in their noses. Still, the germ can cause serious surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections and pneumonia.

Lewis did not know how Jack Snow got the infection, most common among those who live in close proximity to others. That can include sports teams. In fact, the Rams had an outbreak of the infections in 2003.

Five members of the team developed drug-resistant infections after sustaining turf burns, and two or three members of the San Francisco 49ers developed infections after playing the Rams early that season. The outbreak was the subject of an article last year in the New England Journal of Medicine. The players were not identified.

Staph Infection: Cellulitis

WebMD consulted Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, MD, an infectious disease specialist at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, for details on staph infection.

What is staph infection?

It is a type of infection caused by a Staphylococcus (or "staph") bacteria. Actually, about 25% of people normally carry staph in the nose, mouth, genitals, and anal area. The foot is very prone to pick up bacteria from the floor. The infection often begins with a little cut, which gets infected with bacteria.

These staph infections range from a simple boil to antibiotic-resistant infections to flesh-eating infections. The difference between all these is how deep and how fast the infection spreads, and how treatable it is with antibiotics. The antibiotic-resistant infections are more common in North America, because of our overuse of antibiotics.

The type of staph infection that involves skin is called cellulitis and affects the skin's deeper layers. It is treatable with antibiotics. This type of infection is very common in the general population -- and more common and more severe in people with weak immune systems. People who have diabetes or weakened immunity are particularly prone to developing cellulitis.

What does staph infection look like?

Staph cellulitis usually begins as a small area of tenderness, swelling, and redness. Sometimes it begins with an open sore. Other times, there is no break in the skin at all -- and it's anyone's guess where the bacteria came from.

The signs of cellulitis are those of any inflammation -- redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. Any skin sore or ulcer that has these signs may be developing cellulitis. If the staph infection spreads, the person may develop a fever, sometimes with chills and sweats, as well as swelling in the area.

What can be done about a staph infection?

Antibiotics are used to treat these infections. But there's been a gradual change in how well these antibiotics are working. While most staph infections used to be treatable with penicillin, in the 1980s that changed and stronger antibiotics are now used.

In about 50% of cases, however, we see resistance to even these stronger antibiotics. These cases are not just happening in hospitals -- as once was true -- but now are occurring in the general community. That's been a problem. Many doctors are accustomed to using certain antibiotics, but those then fail because of antibiotic resistance. There are several more potent antibiotics now, but doctors need to know when to use them.

There's another treatment we sometimes use with staph infections. If the infection goes so deep that it involves muscles or fibers that enclose muscles, it needs to be surgically cleaned.

Can staph infection be prevented?

You can take steps to help prevent it. Any time you have a cut or skin breakdown, wash it with soap and water, keep it clean and dry, use antiseptic ointment, and keep it covered. A couple of recent outbreaks among football players began when one team member had a boil, and the infection was spread to other team members.

The staph infection is contagious if the wound is weeping or draining, and if people share towels or other items that are contaminated. Wearing foot coverings in locker rooms and other commonly used areas can help prevent contamination.

If the sore becomes unusually painful or red, get prompt medical attention. If red lines develop, that's a sign the infection is spreading and needs medical attention.

SOURCES: Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, MD, infectious disease specialist, University of Texas Medical School at Houston.

[Donita35]

ALLLL. This is sooo sad. I guess that female in me is showing. I really hope and pray for the best for him because I really hope things do not get worst because he is fairly young as has his whole life after football to look forward too.

Good guy to have on the team.

[Raub]

I'd like to see him comeback, he's a hard-working guy, but only if it doesn't affect his health.

[Stew]

I think coming back, even if able is adverse to his health because he could easily rip up his knee again, and go through all of that agony again. He was one hell of a Redskin though in my opinion. I always wanted him to be playing.