A high school wrestler in San Jose, California said he contracted mat herpes from the ones used at Independence High during a tournament in February. Also called Herpes gladiatorum, it is a contagious type of herpes that comes from the same strain that produces cold sores.

The 17-year-old Blake Flovin, a senior at the Archbishop Mitty High, said he might have exposed fellow wrestlers to the contagious skin infection. This type of herpes is commonly linked to various contact sports.

Blake's face is covered in severe red rashes. Along with his parents, Rick and Rena Flovin, he considers what happened as evidence of poor health and safety practices during high school wrestling tournaments.

The incident also revealed a dirty trick: some high school athletes cover up with lesions with Band-Aids or makeup so they won't be disqualified from a wrestling match.

As a trained emergency medical technician (EMT) and an assistant wrestling coach at Mitty, Rick said that hiding the disease is widespread among students because scholarships are at stake.

Rick helped create several strict hygiene practices in wrestling . One of the rules he helped implement requires wrestlers to use disinfectant before stepping on a mat.

According to Rick, Independence High lacked this type of safety practice.

"We've had many times where our doctors have removed an athlete who was showing symptoms or some sort of skin lesion. This is something we deal with on a regular basis," said California Interscholastic Federation senior director, Brian Seymour. "We follow protocol to the letter of the law."

Seymour is also a director of the upcoming weekend tournament in Bakersfield. The organization said all high schools are obliged to abide by the national safety standards.

Blake expressed concern that other wrestlers, who may have caught the herpes virus from him, could spread it further. His public announcement of his condition is in part a request to all the wrestlers he has faced not to participate in the competition.

The state championship this weekend could even be cancelled as it can put other teenagers at risk, said Blake's parents. Participants who have lesions will not be allowed to join the tournament. However, a California Interscholastic Federal spokesperson said there are no current plans to call off the event.

Photo: Chris Hsia | Flickr