COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Health Commissioner has scheduled a health summit in January for all Franklin County coaches and athletic trainers to alert them to MRSA - a type of staph infection able to thrive even when treated by antibiotics.

The bug, called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, flares up fast and can turn deadly, 10TV's Andrea Cambern reported.

Kahle Rummer, a wide receiver for Cardington High School, found bumps on his elbow during the season's second week.  He did not pay much attention to it until the following game.

"I played that Friday," Rummer said.  "Whenever (my elbow) hit the ground, it was the worst pain I had ever felt in my life."

A doctor diagnosed a staph infection and gave Rummer antibiotics but it got worse, Cambern reported.

"That evening, we were at the Morrow County Fair and (Kahle) came to me about 9 p.m. and said, 'We've got to leave now.  My arm's killing me,'" said his mother, Jayne Rummer.

Kahle was admitted to Grady Memorial Hospital with MRSA.  When IV antibiotics did not work, doctors operated and removed the infection.  Kahle was two days away from amputation. 

His teammates and coach spent hours at the hospital. 

"We spent a half hour of a practice wiping down everything that we used," said Cardington football coach Matt Stephens.  "I'm not a clean freak but I am now."

There have been MRSA cases reported in several school districts from Hilliard to New Albany and outbreaks in London, Worthington and Lancaster.  MRSA closed schools in Nelsonville and Troy, Cambern reported.

Athletes are especially at risk because they get a lot of cuts, which helps the bacteria enter.

New products are designed to contain the infection.  At Grandview Heights High School, trainer Michelle Wareham distributes staph-preventing wipes.

"It's really useful because everything is prepackaged and you can just present it to the athletes," Wareham said.  According to Wareham, the athletes have been receptive to it.

She said that she ordered the wipes because the school has artificial turf on the football field. 

Staph bacteria can stick to all kinds of surfaces, possibly even artificial turf.  Dr. Chris Kaeding, Ohio State's head football team physician, decided to spray a staph killer on the field at both Ohio Stadium and the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

Two Ohio State players have battled MRSA in the last five years and the university wants to keep the number low.

"It hasn't been proven that this particular product will drop the incidence of MRSA," Kaeding said.  "In theory, it sure is attractive.  That, when you couple with good hygiene and doing daily antiseptic cleaning of all the surfaces the athletes come in contact with, it could be a third arm of your approach to controlling MRSA."

Kahle Rummer returned to the football team but more athletes will likely tackle MRSA, Cambern reported.

"You used to be able to just play through it - if you have a cut, it won't hurt you," said Kahle Rummer, the teen's father.  "It's more than that now."

Doctors say preventing MRSA is the key.  Everyone should cover all cuts completely, showering after every practice or game, wiping down all equipment with bleach and washing hands.

Ohio State Medical Center Dr. Michael Para has just started a research project to see if an inexpensive drug called Bactrim can play a role in treating and preventing MRSA infections.

10TV News HD and 10TV.com will keep you posted.