Man Contracts Flesh-Eating Bacteria At Texas Beach

CBS11-TV (Texas) ^ | 7/18/07 | n/a

[Clara Lou]

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the bacterium Vibrio vulnificus thrives during summer months in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Swimmers with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients or people with liver disease, are most at risk. A point of entry, such as an open wound, allows the bacteria into the body. Gilpatrick is diabetic and had an ulcer on his lower leg when he went swimming.
This is much like the 500 lb. guy who decided to go tubing. Sometimes, you set yourself up.

[Izzy Dunne]

diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis

a.k.a. Hillary's disease.

[Ethrane]

When I read the headline, my first thoughts were this guy is either a diabetic with an open lesion or immunosuppressed for some other reason.

This is not really anything of great public health importance. Diabetics with open lesions should always be cognizant of exposure to potential infectious agents, and why would anyone assume that the Gulf is ‘sterile’?

[FrogHawk]

ping

[weegee]

Houston PING

[kalee]

As much as I love sushi and raw oysters I gave them up when I got the Lupus diagnosis. I still think longingly about a freshly shucked oyster from time to time but the risk just isn’t worth it.

[spanalot]

aka circumcision complication

http://www.cirp.org/library/complications/bliss/

[Spirochete]

Same thing happened in 2004, a Houston fisherman contracted in wading down at Port O’Connor.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

I still think longingly about a freshly shucked oyster

Some longings are better not disclosed.

[DumpsterDiver]

Here's a nice picture for those who are not too squeamish.

www.jyi.org/volumes/volume5/issue8/images/hu_1.jpg

[kalee]

Our secret, ok? lol

[yarddog]

Many years ago, I was dating a little cutie from Lake Jackson, Texas. While I was visiting, She took me to the beach near Galveston.

I grew up in Walton County, Fl (where the beaches have snow white sand and the water is clear blue/green), in the Panhandle. After seeing the brown water, there was no way I was going swimming at that Texas beach.

[sweetiepiezer]

Oh my.

[sweetiepiezer]

ping.

[neverdem]

thanks, bfl

[Rudder]

People who have chronic illnesses like diabetes or steroids or cancer or chronic liver disease, if they have open wounds or sores, shouldn't go wading in the Gulf during the summer."

Don't go to this doctor, or to this reporter...they think steroids is a chronic disease.

[sushiman]

[sushiman]

[neverdem]

micro ping