Flesh Eating Bacteria =(

[jumperconway 0]

Unfortunately, the one that lost his foot is my dentist. Yesterday they skinned his leg trying to stop it. Still in critical condition and on dialysis, system is shutting down.
http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou040721_cn_seabacteria.f833c54.html

[ladyskydiver 0]

Hey, Conway! Would you, please, post the content? The site is asking for registration.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[turtlespeed 226]

Link is to a passworded website.

Copy and paste?

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[towerrat 0]

it says I have to register.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes!

[Slappie 9]

Here is another link ABC 13 Houston

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them."

[jumperconway 0]

Flesh-eating bacteria infects two fishermen

01:48 PM CDT on Wednesday, July 21, 2004


By Shern Min Chow / 11 News



Click to watch video


PORT O'CONNOR -- It’s the time of year when people hit the Texas coast for fun in the sun. But a fishing trip quickly turned into a nightmare for two Houston men, hospitalized in Victoria after being infected by flesh-eating bacteria.


They got it in the waters off Port O’ Connor and one of them is in critical condition.




KHOU-TV
The victims were infected during a fishing tournament in Port O'Connor.
To look at the serene water off Port O’ Conner, you'd never know it was harboring the common, warm saltwater bacteria. Vibrio Vulnificus is naturally present in marine environments but people are rarely infected.


Last weekend, Port O'Connor hosted a major fishing tournament, the “Poco Bueno.” Two friends were in the wade fishing division and both had scrapes or abrasions. That’s when the vibrio did its damage.


Doctors at Citizen’s Medical Center in Victoria. where both men are hospitalized, confirm it’s flesh-eating bacteria.


One of the men nearly lost his life to vibrio and did lose part of his leg.


“The left leg was amputated at mid-calf and the remainder of the leg has been opened up,” said Dr. Robin Adams.


Dr. Adams said the man’s infection began last Thursday, but he ignored the massive swelling, and the dark purple color of his leg until Saturday. “The man instead got engrossed in the activities of the day and basically disregarded it,” he added.


There are some 18 to 20 cases a year of vibrio along the Gulf Coast. One local fisherman told 11 News he also had a friend who was infected.


“They had to do surgery, a lot of antibiotics. They saved his leg," said Terry Spoonemore. "The doctor told him they weren’t sure they were going to save his leg or his life. He was very sick, maybe eight weeks.”


Heavy drinkers, those with compromised immune systems, and those with liver problems are at highest risk of being infected with vibrio. One study suggests, they are 80 times more likely to develop vibrio than healthy people.


“I think you have more a chance getting in car wreck that you do catching that. There were hundreds of people fishing this weekend,” said fisherman Dwayne Lowery.


For Others, like Terry Spoonemore, the vibrio scare has made them think twice about getting in the water.


“Yeah, but so did the movie Jaws and I got over that,” Spoonemore joked.


The second victim is in good condition, but the first victim remains in critical condition. His problems include kidney failure.


Doctors say seeking medical assistance sooner made all the difference for the second victim.


Vibrio most often infects people through open wounds.


You can also get it from eating contaminated seafood, so experts say always cook seafood, especially oysters.


Doctors stress to get treatment early if you think there’s a problem with a sore.

[lawrocket 3]

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Heavy drinkers, those with compromised immune systems, and those with liver problems are at highest risk of being infected with vibrio. One study suggests, they are 80 times more likely to develop vibrio than healthy people.

hmmm. And this was your dentist?

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[jumperconway 0]

Quote

Quote

Heavy drinkers, those with compromised immune systems, and those with liver problems are at highest risk of being infected with vibrio. One study suggests, they are 80 times more likely to develop vibrio than healthy people.

hmmm. And this was your dentist?

He does drink but not heavy and had no liver or immune problems that I am aware of. He's been an adid wade fisherman ever since I've known him, probably 7-10yrs.

[Dagny 0]

Just like the article said, vibrio vulnificus are a bacteria that naturally exist in warm saltwater. They are the reason that there are warnings in restaurants about eating undercooked or raw shellfish, especially oysters.

Now, me...I like oysters. Even though I'm familiar with vibrio. The people at the greatest risk for getting sick and/or dying from eating oysters are the immunocompromised and those with liver disorders. That can mean AIDS, that can mean hepatitis, that can mean being on immunosuppressive therapy. It can mean a lot. So, eat oysters, but at your own risk. (Healthy people who get sick from vibrio will get nausea/vomiting/diarrhea) That's the take home lesson here.

As far as walking into the ocean with open wounds...just not a good idea. The vibrio can cause infections, like your dentist found out, that can be quite destructive. And again, those who are immunocompromised or with liver problems are at the greatest risk for the infection entering the blood and the potential for death.

"Flesh eating bacteria", as they are commonly known, are a different type of bacteria all together. (streptococcus, clostridium) They can breach the skin when there is trauma, even minor, and will destroy the fascia (that's the stuff the lies between the skin and the muscles). That condition is called necrotizing fasciitis and can be really devestating.

Ah, bacteria. Fun reading. And, if you want to know more, I'd suggest Clinical Microbiology made ridiculously simple.

Have fun...and don't forget to put lemon juice and cocktail sauce on your oysters! (my favorite!)

Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic.
-Salvador Dali

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

Quote

Link is to a passworded website.

Copy and paste?

Try this:

bugmenot.com

_________________________________________
you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[Billy 0]

This is nasty stuff,,
See it several times a year at work and it creeps me out for days afterwards,, Most healthy folks are aware of the infection, but like your dentist, wait until there is a lot of damage before seeking help, then it's too late,, this stuff spreads rapidly,, had a guy last year who thought he just had an infected hair in his balls,, it spread into his scrotum and shaft before he checked in and,, well it was gross..
Keep'em clean gang!

Natural Born FlyerZ.com

[ltdiver 3]

For those who'd like a longer read: Necrotizing Fasciitis

Nasty stuff!

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[jumperconway 0]

Yesterday the decision was made to not only amputate the rest of that leg but the other also. The infection has also moved to one arm and his side. They will open the side today and attempt to remove it unless it's in the intestines in which case they give up. The doctors are giving less than 5% chance of survival at this time. Blue skies my friend.

[ltdiver 3]

There is a picture sitting on my desk at work that inspires me to this day. A previous patient of our hospital who was a competitive swimmer....headed for the Olympics.

She contracted Necrotizing Fasciitis and not only lost both her legs but her arms as well. The picture I have is of her -after- this seemingly completely debilitating occurrence. She is in a swim suit, sitting pool-side....winning smile on her face.

She not only lived, but is an inspirational speaker and teacher to this day. Her picture there reminds me that no matter how bad things can get, there is always a way.

My prayers go out to your friend, jumperconway. I hope he makes it and can find a way to inspire others as well.

For those of you who want to read a very graphic story on this disease, I found this just today. Do not click on the picture links included in this life account unless you want to see what can -really- happen. The writing does not have the pictures viewable unless you click on his links, so at least read the story. And if you'd like, take a look at what Vance "Bo" Salisbury went through. Click on "My Story" on his web page HERE.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[flyangel2 2]

My thoughts are with you.

Big hugs,
Mar

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[mouth 0]

That is so sad. You and your friend are in my thoughts and prayers.

Let us know if there is anything we can do.

--
Hot Mama
At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit.

[jumperconway 0]

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That is so sad. You and your friend are in my thoughts and prayers.

Let us know if there is anything we can do.

Just found out today that around 7:30 last night his heart gave up the ghost and retired! He was strong willed and held the good fight, God bless him. He is now his namesake "Painless" and resides in a better place without the pain!

[mouth 0]

It is so tough to loose a friend, but I want you to know you have lots more here to support you through this. You and his family are in my prayers tonight.

You fought the good fight now enjoy the rewards of a good life my friend. Blue skies forever.....

Lisa

--
Hot Mama
At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit.

[INSANEDADDY 0]

I just read this bad news on the KTRK website and immediately knew who it was. I never knew how serious this shit was. My thought and prayers go out to you and his family.

You dont't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when.......You can only decide how you're going to live........NOW.
-BASE 1605 Night BASE 227

[cvfd1399 0]

my uncle died from that a year ago. Dialysis, pumped full of medecines, ventilator,heart pacer, everything, but it was too strong and too fast to reverse.

[ltdiver 3]

Prayers for both you and your friend's family.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon