What's Going Around: waterborne illnesses

LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) - It is only early Spring and already, CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital infectious disease physician, Dr. Tim Haman, says one case each of vibrio vulnificus, or flesh-eating bacteria, and mycobacterium marinum have sickened people in salty-brackish waters of Southwest Louisiana.

"As the temperatures warm up, the water warms up, people are wanting to get more out on the water and fish," said Dr. Haman.  "During the winter it's very slow.  The other issue is that as the water warms up, the bacterial growth increases in the water as well."

The most serious illness, vibrio vulnificus, comes on very quickly after punctured skin comes in contact with this bacterium.

"Cuts or abrasions or they may get a puncture wound while in the water, stepping on an oyster shell or something like that, and it causes pain and swelling in the involved extremity, but it spreads very fast," said Dr. Haman.

The spread happens in four to six hours and includes redness, swelling, and high fever.  Antibiotics are needed and dead tissue must be removed.

Skin infections with mycobacterium marinum are much slower growing than vibrio.

"It typically causes skin and soft tissue infections," said Dr. Haman.  "We see it a lot in instances where people are fishing or they're handling seafood that's raw and then end up getting a puncture wound and it introduces the bacteria into the tissue and it can cause a pretty significant infection."

Surgical removal is oftentimes needed, followed by antibiotics.

Preventing these waterborne infections starts with careful handling of fishing hooks and protective gear in area waterways.  If you do break the skin, clean it immediately with a diluted bleach mixture.

If you are out on the waters and notice that you have any sort of swelling near a puncture wound, it is critical to get immediate medical attention.

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