Super Bug Invading Health Clubs

Some Denver Broncos and other NFL players are among the thousands of people who have been hit by what health experts call a new super bug. It's a bacterial infection dubbed "Mersa," an acronym for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

If you love a good workout, Mersa loves you. Until recently, Mersa, or MRSA, was pretty much confined to hospitals.

"It will attack anyone," said Steve Antonopolus, the Denver Broncos trainer.

"With the growth of this resistant organism in the community, we'll see more and more of this - not less and less," said Dr. Carolyn Tillquist, of Porter Hospital in Denver.

MRSA lives on the skin and spreads in health clubs, through dirty towels, filthy locker rooms or sweat-drenched workout equipment.

The problem is, over the past few years, Mersa has become resistant to antibiotics. Left untreated and allowed to enter the bloodstream, Mersa can kill.

The bacteria is not only dangerous, it's tricky - and as we move into the flu season, your risks are even greater, health experts say.

The flu can weaken your immune system, making you even more susceptible to Mersa. That's why places like the Denver Athletic Club clean equipment on a regular basis, to prevent the spread of Mersa.

"You can't stand for a locker room that is not clean (or) a wet room, or spa area that is not disinfected regularly," said Antonopolus.

The best prevention after a good workout? Take a good shower and practice smart personal hygiene.

Mersa can begin as a simple pimple or boil on the skin. Here are some other ways to prevent it:

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Wash your towels and uniforms or gym clothes frequently.
• Clean wounds and scratches immediately.
• Don't share personal equipment with friends.