In 1991, Magic Johnson announced that he was HIV-positive.

This revelation ended his athletic career, giving him no choice but to retire from basketball.

At the time, it was a controversial subject, and other players were concerned they could have contracted the disease from him. But is that really possible?

When it comes to serious viral diseases like HIV and hepatitis, should athletes be worried?

In this post, we’ll tell you.

Read on to find out how these diseases can affect athletes, and what precautions they should take to avoid contracting them.

The Real Risks of HIV and Hepatitis in Sports

Here’s everything you need to know about bloodborne diseases if you’re an athlete or sports coach.

Can People with HIV or Hepatitis Play Sports?

Those who have already tested positive for these diseases are still able to play. There are no laws in place to say otherwise, nor is there any evidence to suggest that HIV+ players pose a risk to others.

There is only one reported case of a possible HIV transmission through sport. This occurred during a soccer match in Italy in 1989, when an HIV+ player was involved in a bloody head-to-head collision with another player.

The second player reported two months later that they tested positive for HIV.

However, when Italian health officials investigated the case, they were unable to establish 100% certainty that the collision caused the infection.

How You Can Contract these Infections

So, how are viral diseases such as hepatitis and HIV passed?

For many years, myths and misconceptions about HIV had people believe that it could be spread by physical contact, or by sharing objects such as cups or toilet seats. Now, we know that this isn’t the case.

You can’t become infected by sharing drinks, clothes or showers with your training partners. You aren’t at risk if you come into contact with their sweat or saliva, either.

You certainly can’t catch anything from hugging them or shaking their hands.

In fact, in order for an HIV+ person to pass the infection to you, some of their bodily fluids would need to enter your bloodstream. The same goes for hepatitis B and C.

However, while HIV and hepatitis B can be spread through sexual contact, hepatitis C can do so only through a blood-to-blood transmission.

The risks of contracting these infections through sport are very low. However, they do exist.

Here are the real ways that you can contract HIV or hepatitis from another person in sport:

Bleeding Wounds

If an athlete suffers a serious abrasion, cut or wound which leaves their skin open, they are susceptible to several kinds of infections.

This includes HIV and hepatitis, but only under very specific circumstances. For example, the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person would not only have to be present but would have to make their way into the open wound the enter the bloodstream.

Unsafe Medical Practices

During competitions or matches, it’s important that there’s always a qualified medical professional present. That way, any injuries, and medical emergencies can be dealt with the right way.

During solo training or group practice, this isn’t always possible. That’s why athletes need to know the basics of how to treat wounds and deal with other injuries. Otherwise, the risks of infection are increased.

For example, if someone is giving first aid to players who are bleeding, they must always wear gloves. At the very least, their hands should be washed an sanitized.

Then, all wounds should be cleaned and dressed properly. No athlete should be allowed to play with an open wound without first covering it up.

To protect the health of athletes, it’s essential that match medical staff have training in bloodborne pathogens and how they work. Ideally, coaches should have it, too. This way, infections can be controlled.

Visit this page to find out more about this kind of training and how to get it.

Sharing Needles

Those who inject performance-enhancing drugs such as steroid may be at risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis. This is because they can be passed through shared needles, syringes or swabs.

Athletes who use these types of products must never share them with their teammates or anyone else.

Precautions You Should Take

If you’re concerned about the risks of contracting HIV or hepatitis through sport, there are a number of ways you can protect yourself as an athlete.

The first is to bandage any wounds that you may have before you play.

Secondly, if you or another player are bleeding, stop playing and keep your distance from other people until the bleeding has been controlled.

If blood somehow gets into your mouth, for example through a contact sport such as boxing or MMA, be sure not to swallow it. Instead, rinse your mouth with water as soon as possible. Do this several times if possible.

Similarly, if blood gets into your eyes, stop and rinse them, either with water or a saline solution.

Don’t share towels with players who are bleeding. If another player is bleeding from the mouth, don’t share a water bottle with them, either.

Why You Should Get Vaccinated

While the risks are low, it’s still important to get immunized. That way, you can eliminate them completely and have peace of mind.

You can do this by getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. To be fully protected against hepatitis A in the long term, you’ll have to get two vaccinations, spaced roughly 6 months apart. Hepatitis B also requires a series of vaccines, but these are usually administered to infants.

Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccination against hepatitis C or HIV. That’s why it’s important to take other measures in order to protect yourself.

Protect Your Health

While the risks of transmitting HIV and hepatitis through sport are extremely low, there other very serious health risks that come with playing sports.

For example, you could suffer a serious injury that requires surgery or long-term treatment. This can be not only life-changing but financially devastating.

That’s why it’s essential that you have health insurance.

To find out more, read our post on ways to get a family health insurance plan.