Corpusfishing.com

[Mr.Schertz]

Should I be concerned about bacteria. Headed down to the cost tomorrow and wanted to take the kids over to mustang island to have a little fun on the beach. My 6yrold daughter has scratched some skeeter bites on her legs that have scabbed over but wasnt sure if this would be a problem or not?

[fishinglady]

I am no expert, but I believe that most, if not all, cases of vibrio infection have been contracted either from eating raw seafood or from being in the Laguna Madre or back bays. I don't know of a case contracted from being in the gulf off the island beaches....but I could be wrong. I have actually gone to the beach and soaked in the water there to help heal cuts/blisters......good saltwater cleansing. But...I'm no expert....and I did not stay in a Holiday Inn last night

[AcousTennis]

You can get it from the beach....

One lady that got vibrio was from soaking her feet with cuts in the saltwater...

Therapeutic salts are much safer then beach/bay...

The chances of getting it from the beach with small scabs is extremely extremely low...

personally i put liquid band-aid on my cuts just in case..but i am paranoid..
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[FIDO]

[FINS]

my daughter also has mesquito bites that she scratches til she sometimes draws blood. Id still take her to the beach but thats just me

[shallowsport]

If you're in good health, with no open wounds, you should be alright.

[lucid]

Know I'm a bit late to this party but here's my two cents. I have a background in healthcare and had a Vibrio scare recently so I've done a lot of reading about it. It's very rare but Vibrio has killed or sickened some healthy people through exposure to wounds. Think of it this way - it's extremely unlikely to happen but Vibrio poses much more of a threat to people on the beach than sharks.

Better safe than sorry. I cover any open wounds/scabs with a good waterproof bandaid before hitting the water and clean them well afterwards. Any wounds I sustain fishing... in/around the water - I'm especially paranoid about cleaning. Make sure you irrigate wounds very well with plenty of clean tap water and soap or diluted betadine. A syringe is an excellent way to irrigate wounds (frequently used in the ER) because they generate an ideal psi to flush debris out. Then consider using a little neosporin, and put a bandaid on. Keep a close eye on it. Vibrio is notorious for progressing rapidly so if you start seeing any signs of infection like excessive pain, redness/swelling, fever or things that look like blisters around the wound - seek medical attention immediately. Patients often sustain a minor cut or puncture wound and within a day lose their life or limb (this can be a "flesh-eating bacteria") so it's critical to get help sooner rather than later.

[ironmanstan]

Your chances are the same as winning the power ball lotto.
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I LIKE MINE FRIED.

[gulftrout]

Right now I have a line cut on my outside finger from checking the drag, a blood blister from a shark that has popped on my right index finger, a small hook puncture on my left hand small finger, a cut on top of my right hand from slamming into a fire extinguisher, a puncture wound from a snapper fin on top of my right foot that went through my crocks and a tiny needle fin from a cigar fish embedded in my right thumb. I did soak my foot twice in Epsom salts and it looks a lot better. I even went wade fishing with no waders in Oso Bay Monday when I had a chance. I am not sure why some people get a bad infection and some just wash their small cuts in saltwater and go their own way. I do know if I get a small puncture I squeeze it to make it bleed as much as possible to get any bacteria out, up to a point anyway! Just make your own decisions and be sure to take a close look at any cuts that night before going to bed.

[Ray]

I am a veterinarian in Waco. About 2 or 3 weeks ago a veterinarian from Longview fished the coast, got a scratch, then an infection on his leg, then an amputation, and a shot time later, death, from Vibrio. I can't tell you anymore details, but I learned the info on one of our discussion sites. he had apparently been healthy and practicing daily until this happened to him.

You are not going to get Vibrio just by getting in the water, but it is something everyone needs to think about, clean and disinfect wounds, see the doctor early and fast if you have a wound or question, etc., basically common sense. Most of the time, that works.
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Ray

[Stxtopwater]

I was wading Baffin today with and ingrown toe nail and all sorts of cuts and scrapes....ill keep you posted. From what I have heard you have to have a weak immune system to get it but I also heard the fishing is terrible in Baffin

[lucid]

[lucid]

Nearly 1/3 of patients with Vibrio wound infections reported to the CDC over an 8 year period did not have a risk factor such as liver disease, immunodeficiency, or diabetes. Cases have increased steadily over the years and it's believed that for every reported case there are over a hundred that aren't. It's important that people are aware that conditions such as liver disease increase your risk greatly, but healthy people need to be cognizant and cautious as well. No need to be paranoid or fearful of the water - just be safe. Many of us do the stingray shuffle, wear/carry PFDs, and pay attention to rip currents. No reason to ignore vibrio even if it's somewhat rare. It happens often enough, and the consequences are frequently so grave it deserves attention. It's not difficult or time-consuming to clean a wound out well.

[Ray]

[eksda]

we had a friend who went fishing in galveston bay yrs ago. he had a cut on his leg and got the vibrio and died about 2 weeks later. if you have a cut even with a scab stay out of the water til it heals. better to be safe than sorry even though we dont surf fish i am careful on the piers too. just a splash of water could be all it takes.