From the Guidelines
Massage therapists can potentially spread several types of infections, including bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, if proper hygiene practices are not followed. Bacterial infections that may be transmitted include Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), Streptococcus species, and Pseudomonas, which can cause skin infections, folliculitis, or cellulitis 1. Viral infections that pose a risk include herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus (causing warts), and various respiratory viruses like influenza or common cold viruses. Fungal infections that can be spread include dermatophytes (causing ringworm, athlete's foot, and jock itch), Candida species (causing yeast infections), and Malassezia (causing tinea versicolor). To prevent transmission, massage therapists should practice thorough hand washing before and after each client, use clean linens for each session, properly disinfect equipment and surfaces, avoid working when ill, and not perform massage on clients with visible skin infections 1. These infections spread through direct skin-to-skin contact, contact with contaminated surfaces, or through respiratory droplets. Maintaining proper hygiene protocols is essential because the close physical contact during massage therapy creates an environment where pathogens can easily transfer between individuals if preventive measures are not taken. Some key measures to prevent the spread of infections include:
- Hand hygiene with an alcohol-based hand rub before and after all patient contacts
- Soap and water hand washing when hands are visibly soiled
- Monitoring of hand hygiene compliance and feedback to healthcare workers
- Use of contact precautions for colonized patients
- Proper disinfection of equipment and surfaces. Given the most recent and highest quality study available 1, it is strongly recommended that massage therapists adhere to strict hygiene protocols to minimize the risk of infection transmission.
From the Research
Infections Spread by Massage Therapists
Infections that can be spread by massage therapists include:
- Bacterial infections: Massage therapy involves direct contact between the therapist and the client, which can result in the transfer of bacteria 2.
- Viral infections: The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that massage therapists can be at risk of transmitting viral infections, such as COVID-19, to their clients 3, 4.
- Fungal infections: Fungal infections, such as those caused by dermatophytes or yeasts, can be spread through skin-to-skin contact, which can occur during massage therapy 5.
Types of Infections
Some specific types of infections that can be spread by massage therapists include:
- Bacterial infections, such as those caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus 2
- Viral infections, such as COVID-19 3, 4, 6
- Fungal infections, such as those caused by Candida albicans or dermatophytes 5
Prevention of Infections
To prevent the spread of infections, massage therapists can take steps such as:
- Washing their hands before and after each massage session 2
- Using lubricants or lotions that are less likely to harbor bacteria 2
- Following proper sanitation and hygiene procedures in their practice
- Staying up-to-date on vaccinations and taking precautions to prevent the spread of viral infections, such as COVID-19 3, 4, 6