Athletes are prime candidates for the infection because they come in contact with artificial surfaces that retain germs, they share exercise equipment, showers and locker rooms, and when on the field or court, they come in contact with other players.
But also at risk is almost everyone who goes to public places or gets a cut or scrape.
Orioles Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer said he cut his finger six weeks ago and wound up on antibiotics.
"You know, one day you cut yourself and you think, 'It's a cut.' I washed my hands, I shaved. I wasn't rubbing dirt in it, but the next day it's a raging infection," he said. "Just like that. It's doctors and antibiotics. And it had just been a little cut.
" ... Earl Weaver, four or five years ago, went in for a normal arthroscopic knee surgery and ended up spending three months recovering from a staph infection," Palmer said.
"I know I need to go have my own knee repaired, and it's scary because you hear the horror stories and you never know. I'm here talking about this because this is something that affects all of us."
sandra.mckee@baltsun.com
