Contracting infectious diseases at the gym/kwoon?

[Yung Apprentice]

While sparring or rolling, how do you protect yourself from contracting something from another student/gym mate? It's quite easy to get cut or to cut someone while sparring or rolling, increasing chances of cross contamination. I understand it is not very likely, but the chance is still there.

Now a days, with increased numbers in HIV or Hepatitis, there is no way to know if someone is a carrier, even if you know them well.

Not too mention the different types of communicable skin diseases, such as herpes, or mrsa.

What steps do you take to protect yourself from contracting something during training? What steps does your gym/kwoon/dojo take to protect you as a student.

What about tournaments? MMA or other full contact events?

I post this thread, not because I have an answer, but because it is a legitimate question. One that I hope experienced martial artists, students and teachers alike may share in there ideas on how to protect oneself.

What can be done, and what do you do?

[Syn7]

if you plan to swap blood in the gym on the regular, mandatory testing for all members every so often may be an idea worth considering...

[Yung Apprentice]

Once again, this is not suggestions for me, this is to ask what safeguards ppl take at their schools. Most schools spar, it's not uncommon to get scuffed up every now and then.

[Kansuke]

I understand it is not very likely

Actually, it IS very likely.

[EarthDragon]

I have over 175 students and 3 training areas so we have a ton of precautions that we must take compared to when I was much smaller. Some of those precations include
no outside shoes can be worn on the training areas.
we mop and bleach and or disinfect the floor every night.
everyone is blood tested if they are going to fight inside the octagon.
studetns must tape and or cover any and all open wounds
students that have any type of disease must inform staff proior to joining.

ringworm is always going to be the most contracted communual disease mrsa can be one of the worst. hep Hiv things like this can ony contract through blood so if they are cut tape, alchohol and careful watchng is the best steps to a clean and heathly kwon

[Yung Apprentice]

Very interesting, I wonder if most places have their students blood tested. I think thats a practice more places should employ. E.D., how is it regulated at your school, what I mean is, is there particular lab students must go to, and I assume they bring the test results to you, prior to going in the octagon. Is it a one time deal, or do they have to regularly get tested?

[lkfmdc]

bleach

it is your friend

[David Jamieson]

1) A clean gym is a good gym

2) Personal hygiene is paramount to success here

3) no one rolls or spars without a clean bill of health.


#3 is the one that is not addressed properly by most clubs in my opinion.
For one thing, if you really want to reduce risk here, have the students get a blood test and show the results if they wish to full contact spar or roll.

No point in getting others infected with HIV, Hepatitis, or a host of other blood born pathogens that are easily transmitted in a scenario whereby two people are engaged in combat.

Consider this, if you want to fight on a card, that's what you must do. the same rule should apply for training in my opinion.

If your students do not practice good personal hygiene, send them out to get some before they spar or roll. It's the responsible thing to do.

If people complain about the cost of a blood test, tell them that it's better than complaining about having aids. It's a non starter argument in my opinion.