Scrumpox

"Scrumpox", "Herpes Gladiatorum" or "Herpes Rugbiorum", is an infection of the skin caused by the herpes simplex virus. Its name comes from rugby, a sport where players come into regular and close contact with each other in particular during the scrum. Scrumpox is characterized by intensely painful fluid-filled blisters, often on the face and neck, containing millions of infectious virus particles. Close contact causes the infected blisters to burst and pass the infection along. The infection is not limited to players of rugby and can be passed through any close skin contact, particularly in wrestling where it is more commonly referred to as "Herpes Gladiatorum".

Scrumpox resembles a rash with a cluster of blisters, often around the head and neck area. The infection can also be accompanied by lymphadenopathy (disease of the lymph nodes), fever, sore throat, and headache. There is no cure for scrumpox, but there are several effective treatments for outbreaks.

References

* http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/308/6945/1702
* http://www.merckmedicus.com/ppdocs/us/hcp/content/white/chapters/white-ch-021-s004.htm
* http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001552.htm