Flesh Eating Bacteria ..

**Capt. Hollis Forrester** · #1 07-22-2006, 06:10 PM

Just warning u guys that wade fish as much as I do. 2 guys this week so far up and down the Texas Coast have gotten this bacteria, one they say will probably pass because of it. I was curious about it so I looked up the symptoms on the web. 1. acquired through a cut, when infected with the bacteria the cut will look to become highly infected, swollen, Red, Puffy very soon. 2. Flu like symptoms. 3. Fever 4.Nausea.
Those are the early symptoms, but they go on with the later symptoms. They say as soon as you see the cut being infected suddeny get it taken care of immediately. Usually the ones that suffer severely, or die usually wait too long to do anything about it.
Theres no way I'm staying out of the water, but I just wanted to pass on to you all just incase any of you come into contact with this bacteria. Later Guys!!

**Gottagofishin** · #2 07-22-2006, 06:35 PM

Good reminder for all of us who wade to pay attention to any cuts, scratches, or scrapes. Once that stuff takes hold it moves fast.

**Sow Trout** · #3 07-22-2006, 10:53 PM

Where were they fishing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by brazosdude

Just warning u guys that wade fish as much as I do. 2 guys this week so far up and down the Texas Coast have gotten this bacteria, one they say will probably pass because of it. I was curious about it so I looked up the symptoms on the web. 1. acquired through a cut, when infected with the bacteria the cut will look to become highly infected, swollen, Red, Puffy very soon. 2. Flu like symptoms. 3. Fever 4.Nausea.
Those are the early symptoms, but they go on with the later symptoms. They say as soon as you see the cut being infected suddeny get it taken care of immediately. Usually the ones that suffer severely, or die usually wait too long to do anything about it.
Theres no way I'm staying out of the water, but I just wanted to pass on to you all just incase any of you come into contact with this bacteria. Later Guys!!

**Bubbaette** · #4 07-23-2006, 12:08 AM

I always have open wounds (cracks) on my hands. How do you avoid coming in contact with the bay water on your hands even if you don't wade fish? I always pour bleach or peroxide over them when I get home but not sure if that is sufficient.

**Philip C** · #5 07-23-2006, 09:17 AM

Did the article ever mention how long it takes before the infection is noticable? For example how many days after from getting out of the water should I keep an eye out for this?

**chicapesca** · #6 07-23-2006, 09:26 AM

I keep a gallon bottle of half bleach, half water on the boat, and rinse any questionable areas off when I get back in the boat. I am always poking, slicing and scratching myself when fishing.

**Redfishr** · #7 07-23-2006, 09:31 AM

Keep Hydgogen peroxide on board and if you get the slightest ich or irratation, wipe it down and you should be OK.
There was a biologist that used to frequent this board and he said the bacteria does its best in salty water not brackish.
There was also a gy on here that got it at SLP and he said he never had a visible cut on his arm. It started iching and he scratched it of courrse and thats was all it took.
BUT........He had a liver problem if I remember correctly which compromised his immune system and that must have been the problem.
Keep some HP handy . The biologist said that stuff killed the bac. instantly.

**Redfishr** · #8 07-23-2006, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip C

Did the article ever mention how long it takes before the infection is noticable? For example how many days after from getting out of the water should I keep an eye out for this?

IF you had it . It only take a few hours. In days you might be dead.
The dentist in POC that got it a couple of yrs back died after the weekedn fishing trip. But it was said he ignored the symptoms for a day.

**JW AKA JEFF** · #9 07-23-2006, 10:10 AM

My Aunt cut her calf right above the ankle needing stitches when she arrived at the hospital and got stitched up the Doctor would not give her antibiotics even though she demanded them and he refused. The next morning redness and swelling had set in and it was extremely painful (this was 8 hrs after leaving the hospital) she went back to the hospital and the CDC Doctor they called in had her leg removed at the HIP! 81 years old and learning to walk with a prosthetic leg is tough.............make sure you get antibiotics if cut and in question of coming into contact with this bacteria, if the hospital Doctor won't prescribe them go to your family Doctor and get them, better safe then sorry! Make sure you tell the hospital while being treated for the wound that you have been in contact with Marsh water or saltwater and make a demand for Antibiotics IF TURNED DOWN MAKE SURE YOUR COMPLAINT GOES ON RECORD! By the way CDC recommends giving Antibiotics in most cases to be on the safe side. And my Aunt settled for a rather large sum of money from the hospital but nothing will replace your arms, legs or life..............demand Antibiotics!

**zihuatanejo** · #10 07-23-2006, 10:33 AM

I spent 2 weeks in UTMB Galveston in 1995 because of a fin-poke on my right middle finger...never got flu symtoms, just swelling and awful pain. The doctor said had I waited even a few hours more that I would have lost an arm if not died. I figured the fish must have left a small piece of fin in the wound and was poking at it with a needle trying to get it out...my finger swelled to the point where I actually thought it would burst. Luckily there was an orthopedic surgeon on staff who had a clue and eliminated other possibilities quickly via lab cultures. It took surgery and IV antibiotics to get past it...and a little morophine for the pain. Funny part is that I went into the ER on Thanksgiving morning and argued with them that I just needed an antibiotic shot...I said I needed to watch football and eat turkey...instead I got to put on a bad dress with no backside!!