How Does an Illness Impact the Athlete?
Illness like colds, flu, bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tube lining), mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus infection), gastrointestinal issues, and more recently, COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) affect the performance ability of athletes. A sports medicine doctor will examine the symptoms, reactions, and signs to help athletes, parents, and coaches decide when it is safe to resume playing. Before looking into specific conditions and illnesses, it is essential to mention that an athlete may still not be prepared to return to play even when they are no longer contagious and do not have a fever. Even minor ailments, like an ear infection, can make it challenging to resume playing.
An athlete may technically be fine to return to practice, but it is vital to remember that their comfort and ability to participate in the activity are crucial. A player runs the danger of getting wounded if they are preoccupied with an earache or a toothache that is severe. In addition, athletes must be in good health to compete successfully.
What Illnesses Need to Be Assessed, and How Are They Recovered?
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Cold, Bronchitis, or Flu:
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Before an athlete can return to competition, any symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lung symptoms, a persistent cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath must be treated. For fevers, the athlete must be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to sport.
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It can be easily assessed using a mouth-mounted digital thermometer to check the athlete's temperature. If an athlete takes antibiotics for an ear infection, sore throat, or some other illness, they can return once the fever has broken and they feel well.
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They are not required to wait until they have finished taking antibiotics before returning to training. The athletes taking antibiotics may encounter some gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea. In such cases, it is essential to wait until the gastrointestinal problems go away. If a team member is sick, the individual is at risk, and the teammates are also at risk if the infected person is not immunized. Hence, it is crucial to ensure that athletes receive their influenza vaccine.
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Mononucleosis:
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Mononucleosis is a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus that causes symptoms like fever, fatigue, swollen glands, and rashes. It is highly contagious, also called kissing disease, as it is transmitted through saliva. It is more prevalent in college and high-school students. It is one of the most frightening high school infections and can sometimes prevent an athlete from competing for a whole season. Before thinking about a return to play, an athlete must feel better and have more energy, regardless of whether they have a fever or a spleen issue.
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However, it is still necessary to consult a doctor to obtain the all-clear to return after an athlete feels energized and their fever has subsided. The potential of splenic rupture is the main issue, especially with contact sports. The risk is most significant during the first three weeks of illness because splenic rupture occurs most frequently. It is recommended that young athletes stay away for that time period (three weeks) even if they are feeling much better. Return to sport is primarily dependent on how the patient feels and whether there is any felt pain around the spleen area.
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With mononucleosis, children may experience a vicious cycle. Even when the symptoms have subsided, youngsters still lack energy because they have not been physically active for weeks. In addition, symptoms may take some time to resolve. Once symptoms have subsided and a few weeks have passed, it is recommended to begin a low-impact activity like walking or yoga, even if the athlete feels fatigued.
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In addition, rehabilitation, flexibility, and other lower-intensity activities are essential to concentrate on during this time. A gradual improvement is beneficial when recovering from a serious illness like that. Additionally, it can assist them in mentally resuming play. The same is applicable for athletes recovering from prolonged flu episodes.
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Gastrointestinal Issues:
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Viral gastroenteritis is a gastrointestinal tract infection that causes vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. It is usually contracted through contaminated water or food due to contact with an infected person. For the benefit of the athlete and the team, it is crucial to skip practice while suffering from stomach aches, food poisoning, or any other stomach issues that cause vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach discomfort.
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Viral gastroenteritis is particularly easy to spread in sports with high contact or shared equipment. And these infections can also spread through contact with basketballs, gymnastics equipment, and wrestling mats in addition to being transmitted by hands. Thus, it is crucial to use caution.
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Staying out of practice if ongoing episodes of diarrhea or vomiting are recommended. In addition to transmission, athletes are more likely to become dehydrated when vomiting or having diarrhea. Additionally, the virus that causes several of these disorders can harm muscles, particularly the heart muscle, raising the possibility of myocarditis.
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COVID-19:
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COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a highly infectious, deadly, and contagious disease that has shaken humankind from 2019 through 2021, with its severity decreasing to the present day. If athletes have been infected and are asymptomatic, before an athlete returns, all symptoms, no matter how minor, should fully disappear and be given the all-clear certificate by a doctor. It is recommended that people get in touch with their primary care physician once symptoms have subsided. Many primary care doctors perform a follow-up phone call to ensure that no other factors are missed. Start with low-intensity exercise and gradually increase to sport-specific, higher-intensity training over the course of five to seven days.
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The current guideline is that athletes should visit their primary care physician before going back to play if they are experiencing moderate symptoms. In the United States, doctors advise performing an EKG (electrocardiography). They may also decide to conduct other tests to assess the condition of the heart muscle. An athlete is assumed to have myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscles, if they exhibit significant symptoms. Before they may resume their sport, they should stick to the waiting period of between three and six months. A cardiologist's clearance is required for all children with serious symptoms before returning.
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Why Is an Athlete's Mental Health Important in Recovery?
Athletes need to be in good physical and emotional health in order to achieve their best results.
So, it is essential to consider an injured athlete's physical and mental wellness. An athlete whose life has been centered around athletics may experience trauma if an injury keeps them out of the game for an extended time. If their medical team is aware of this, they may look for inappropriate reactions and be prepared to assist patients who are having trouble.
How Can an Athlete Combat Psychological Factors?
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Set a clear, definite, and practical goal.
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Visualizing or picturizing oneself healthy after an illness.
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Being optimistic.
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Focussing on the present.
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To deal with the five phases of mourning include denial (an act of denying), anger (becoming angry), bargaining (arguing), depression (a mood disorder with constant sadness and loss of interest), and acceptance (an act of accepting facts).
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The first step to managing, owning, and overcoming negative emotions is by recognizing them, taking control of the situation, and ensuring the illness does not overpower the individual.
Conclusion:
It can be difficult to evaluate when it is safe to return to exercise after an illness because it relies on how the athlete feels and the risk of spreading the illness to others. Return to sports should include a few days of rest where activity is gradually increased based on the athlete's energy and performance, especially when athletes have been away from sports for a longer duration. When an athlete is sick, following the guidelines mentioned above can help them, and their team stay healthy and return to play safely.
