Which sport should an athlete with an active case of herpes be disqualified from?

An athlete with an active case of herpes is most appropriately advised to be disqualified from sports that involve mats or are contact-heavy due to the risk of transmitting the infection to other participants. Herpes simplex virus can be highly contagious, especially in contact sports where skin-to-skin contact occurs, and in situations involving shared surfaces like mats, the likelihood of spreading the virus increases significantly.

Sports such as wrestling, gymnastics (which often involves mats), and certain forms of martial arts would fall under this category. However, while soccer and baseball can involve some level of contact, the direct skin contact risks are typically lower compared to these other sports.

The guideline about disqualifying an athlete until they are no longer contagious is crucial for maintaining the health and safety of all competitors. Therefore, the recommendation is clear: an athlete with an active herpes infection should refrain from participating in any sports where the risk of spreading the virus is heightened until they have recovered and are no longer contagious.