The Villages Chiropractor - Flesh Eating Bacteria In FL Waters

Summer is here with record high temperatures. People try to cool off by enjoying Florida’s lakes, rivers, and beaches. Sharks are not the only thing to fear in the Florida coastal waters, as there is a deadly bacterium that is proliferating Florida’s waters. This bacterium, Vibrio Vulnificus, is a flesh eating bacteria that recently took the life of a 26 year old male from Leesburg, FL.

Cason Yeager (Leesburg victim) thought he had a spider bite, entered the hospital on a Monday afternoon, after working a full day. He was treated for cellulitis and eventually took a turn for the worse and passed away the following day.

Being infected by this bacterium is rare, but exposure is on the rise and the community must be aware of this deadly, flesh eating bacteria. Most cases occur between the months of May and October, when the water temperatures are between 68-95 degrees. It is more common in areas where salt water and fresh water mix. The bacterium enters your body through a scrape or a cut or enters your system through digestion of exposed shell fish. In 2014, there were 32 reported cases, including one in Citrus County. Of those infected, seven people died.

The first documented case of disease by the organism was in 1979. “The Health Secrets” by the Doctors of Legacy Clinic is a radio show that airs on AM 790 and recently had the opportunity to interview an infectious disease practitioner from Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL. Dr. Theeck stated, “Our goal is to provide awareness of this deadly bacterium so something like this doesn’t happen again.”
Trembley, from Shands says, “Those with compromised immune systems are especially at risk.” People with chronic kidney or liver disease should wear proper footwear to prevent cuts and injury caused by rocks and shells on the beach.

When the bacterium is eaten in contaminated food, symptoms of the disease include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. When Vibrio Vulnificus enters the body through an open wound, it can cause infections that may lead to skin breakdown and ulcers. The bacterium can invade the bloodstream and cause fever, chills, blistering skin lesions, septic shock, decreased blood pressure and death. Dr. Theeck and Kessler asked Trembley (infectious disease practitioner) why there are not testing and postings closing infected waters. Trembley responded, “All waters have this bacterium in them and the department of health can’t close all waters.” The best protections are taking the necessary precautionary measurements.

WARNINGS:
1. Do not enter the water if you have fresh cuts or scrapes especially in the summer months.
2. Do not eat oysters or shell fish in months that do not end in R.
3. First sign of a blister go to the hospital immediately and provide the treating doctor with information if you have been in salt water recently.

Precautions:
1. Shower before entering the water.
The skin is a sponge, so saturating it with clean water will prevent the body from soaking up the bacteria from the water.
Also some bacteria react with ammonia from sweat. Rinsing before entering water will remove the sweat.

2. Slather on Coconut oil. This will give your skin an extra layer of protection.

3. Boost your immune system
a. Greens
b. Probiotics
c. Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic patients were found to have a 200% greater immune competence than those people who had not received chiropractic care, and they had 400% greater immune competence than those people with cancer and other serious diseases.

Dr John Theeck, DC
Health and Wellness at Legacy Clinic
Serving Sumter County, Lake County and Marion County
Including The Villages, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Wildwood, Belleview and Ocala
The Villages Chiropractor, Spinal Decompression, Back Pain, Sciatica Relief, Posture Correction, Paleo Diet, Pettibon System, Alternative Health Care, Arthritis Care
Legacy Clinic
1950 Laurel Manor Drive
The Villages, FL 32162
352-259-0024
info@LegacyClinicOfChiropractic.com