Beware of This Infection From The Bay

[Pc4sun]

Vibrio vulnificus is a rapid-spreading flesh-eating bacteria that naturally occurs in saltwater or estuaries, particularly from May to October. We have a higher chance of getting this bacteria since we cut our hands on hooks and fish. It is still safe out there, but beware of the signs that you may be infected by this very harmful bacteria.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...bc9_story.html

[On the fly]

Keep a bottle of peroxide, antibiotic cream, and waterproof bandages in the Yak. Any hook puncture and out comes the peroxide. The alcohol based antiseptic hand cleaner works pretty good too.

[Delicious Bass]

Now I'm all itchy.

[Deadwood]

Very Serious Sheet! Take precautions and take this serious.

[Pc4sun]

Keep a bottle of peroxide, antibiotic cream, and waterproof bandages in the Yak. Any hook puncture and out comes the peroxide. The alcohol based antiseptic hand cleaner works pretty good too.

Harry, this is excellent information. I will update my first aid kit. Thanks!

[Frogsauce]

The media blows these things up. Of course you want to wash any cuts you get in saltwater or any water for that matter, that's a given.

I don't wash anything until I get home from fishing, and I never had a problem. This guy had to delay washing for a while....

[Memory Maker]

The media blows these things up. Of course you want to wash any cuts you get in saltwater or any water for that matter, that's a given.

I don't wash anything until I get home from fishing, and I never had a problem. This guy had to delay washing for a while....

......... There NOT blowing up this 1 ......... I know a Capt on the eastern shore that got it .......... He went to the hospital the night it happened and ended up in the hospital for weeks from a simple tiny cut ......... They said if he waited till the morning he would have been dead ............. There are stories on Tidalfish from the guys that survived and the things they went thru ....... I think it was Charlie Schneider .......... Mortality can be as high as 50% ......... Not to mention the loss of limbs .....

[Yak Fish]

No joke, a buddy of mine (actually brother of our local olympic figure skater) just got something like this. We play hockey together and he'd missed a few games....it was a fishing injury. He was down in Florida fishing with some kind of shrimp. He got poked by one of it's spines and his thumb got really gnarly. Last night was the first I'd seen him in a few weeks and his thumb is still pretty inflamed. Definitely carry some kind of antiseptic.

[On the fly]

The media blows these things up. Of course you want to wash any cuts you get in saltwater or any water for that matter, that's a given.

I don't wash anything until I get home from fishing, and I never had a problem. This guy had to delay washing for a while....

That is not correct. Had a friend have a similar issue with a cut cleaned up when he got home. Almost died was in rehab for months still not right.

Proper wound care helps keep bacteria bay. If you have open wounds/cuts and are planning exposure to bay waters use a barrier such as waterproof bandaging on the area to keep water from entering wound. Best advice is let any open wounds heal first.

For me I will keep first aid supplies on kayak for immediate wound care.

[mibytes]

I already know a few people from who have had some problems just by swimming off Sandy Point. One had a open wound on her face. Now she is facing some serious infection and now diagnosed with cellulitis. I made sure yesturday to take antibiotic ointment, antibiotic wipes, waterproof bandaids and extra water to wash off the area. Please everyone becareful do not take no chances.

[Frogsauce]

Sounds crazy to me, but maybe its something to watch for. Only 35 people in the entire U.S. died from this in recent years. And the health department guy said 99.9% of people who will get in the water will be fine. Seems like they are trying to sensationalize the story a bit... This is where I stopped reading: "For most people, the bacteria usually causes only a mild skin infection or upset stomach, but in people over 60 and those with weakened immune systems or compromised liver function, the bacteria can advance rapidly, infecting and killing tissue"

[On the fly]

Your right in one respect and that is to assume the press making a mountain out of a mole hill. They love to do that. However, this should just serve as a heads up and awareness for us.

[Yak Fish]

Based on my buddy's thumb and the pics he showed me of it, you could see almost to the bone. It was a wide open wound that was the size of a nickel. Of course he'll be fine, but pretty crazy for just a minor poke of a spine that just erupted.

[Frogsauce]

Awareness, certainly. But read more than the news before panicking and running out to buy meds. If your sick, you might be in trouble. If your well, you might get the runs for a day or two. You have a better chance at getting it from food poisoning than the bay:

http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/...io_infections/

[JohnE]

Nalgene makes some small dropper bottles which are perfect for carrying hydrogen peroxide with you. You guys fishing for stripers this time of year up in the bay be especially careful when handling them, you will definitely get poked sooner or later. I carry a mesh glove for handling them, especially this time of year...been injured by them a few too many times already. Luckily it was during colder months.