Herpes gladiatorum, also known as mat herpes, is a skin infection caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) . It is most commonly found in wrestlers and other athletes who play contact sports. The virus can cause cold sores or fever blisters on the lips. Once a person is infected with the virus, they remain infected for life, and the virus can become active at any time, even if there are no symptoms. The infection can show up anywhere on the skin, but in athletes, it is most commonly found on the head, neck, and trunk.

Herpes gladiatorum is spread through skin-to-skin contact with infected people or through contact with an item an infected person has touched. People infected with the virus can have times where it is inactive in the body and cannot be spread to others. However, the virus can become active at any time, and can be spread to others even if there arent symptoms. People can most easily spread the virus when they have blisters.

Prevention tips for student athletes include avoiding skin-to-skin contact with infected people, not sharing personal items, and practicing good personal hygiene. There is no cure for herpes gladiatorum, but antiviral medications may be given to help reduce symptoms, especially during the first time a person has mat herpes, and decrease the number of times a person has an episode[[3]](ht...