Cleveland Browns Sacked by Flu
By Barbara Lock, MDOctober 22, 2009
Twleve Cleveland Browns players missed practice on Wednesday due to flu-like symptoms, according to Coach Eric Mangini. Practice for the remaining players was cut back by reducing repetitions, increasing time for rest. Mangini cited HIPPA privacy regulations from preventing him from discussing the health conditions of individual players.
The NFL has a policy, in place since last month, that permits teams with high numbers of players out with illness such as influenza to promote practice squad players without penalty if necessary on game days.
In a review of likely infectious diseases that could cripple athletes and sports teams, Luke et al identified influenza, pertussis, and menigitis as the diseases most preventable by immunization.
Influenza has affected the Winter Olympics, but members of a national team that had a cluster outbreak of influenza were successfully treated with oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and competed, winning medals.
A search of the NFL official website revealed no published policy regarding vaccination.
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