High School Wrestler Says Mats Gave Him Herpes; Other Athletes Exposed

SAN JOSE (KCBS) -- A South Bay high school wrestler may have exposed other wrestlers to a herpes virus.

The 17-year-old said he got the viral skin infection at a recent tournament, KCBS' Larry Chiaroni reported Thursday.

Herpes gladiatorum, also known as "mat herpes" or "wrestler's herpes," is associated with contact sports and caused by the same herpes virus that produces cold sores on the lips.

Blake Flovin says he got the virus from wrestling mats used during a tournament at Independence High School in San Jose last month.

Flovin is going public to urge wrestlers he's faced to sit-out this weekend's state championship.  He's concerned that if they caught it from him, they may spread the virus.

Blake's family said the state tournament should be called off, because it could be putting other students at risk.

Any wrestlers that have lesions will not be allowed to participate, but a spokeswoman for the California Interscholastic Federal says there are no plans to cancel the tournament.