Pediatrician Questions Pediatrician

STDs and athletes?

If an athlete gets an STD, are they still allowed to play their sport? Soccer, etc

Male | 17 years old

1 Answer

PediatricianPediatrician
Depends on the STD and the sport, certain precautions may be necessary. Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and syphilis typically no concerns with sports participation, but also important to not touch sores with your hands because that has potential to spread. Things like herpes may need caution in grappling sports like wrestling, jiu jitsu, but depends on the location of the lesions and if covered by standard gear. HIV would require some precautions in case the athlete has a wound resulting in bleeding.