Herpes gladiatorum: a growing problem in sports medicine

Herpes skin infections among wrestlers--called herpes gladiatorum--occur frequently among high school and college wrestlers nationwide. Contact with opponents with active herpes infections appears to be the strongest risk factor associated with acquisition of infection. Previously acquired antibody to herpes simplex virus 1 infection may offer some protection from acquiring this disease. Morbidity associated with this disease can be significant, and widespread efforts to educate participants in close contact sports, such as wrestling, are advocated as control measures.