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Many residents in Tampa Bay are cleaning up from Hurricane Milton and Helene, and people will need to watch out for severe, potentially fatal bacteria lurking in floodwater. The bacterium, called Vibrio Vulnificus, is prevalent in warm and salty water.
It pops up in the Gulf in the summer, and coincides with hurricane season. Public information officer with the Florida Department of Health Tom Iovino said it brings heavy risk.
“It’s an infection, so you see the typical redness, swelling, discharge, but then it could become ulcerated and it can become very dangerous after that,” Iovino said.
There have been a record 13 cases in Pinellas County just this year, according to the Florida Department of Health website.
“If we see storm surge, and you’re in an area that you’re actually doing storm cleanup, what happens is you can get a cut, you can get a scrape, you can get a laceration, a puncture. And what happens is people think ‘okay I don’t have to worry about that’ but what you should do at that point is stop and wash that area well with soap and clean water.” Iovino said.
Iovino also encourages people to check the status of their tetanus shots.
Large potential red tide bloom may come to Southwest Florida
4 Responses to “Pinellas County sees record number of flesh-eating bacteria cases”
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Three years ago I was kayaking in the gulf with my sister during the Xmas holiday season and there had been a warning farther south of red tide. About twenty four hours later, I developed two huge blisters on the side of my knees, filled with fluid. At first I thought it was sunburn but the pain was excruciating. The blisters remained for several days which I covered in burn medicine and covered with bandages. After the blisters broke on their own and began to heal, something didn’t feel right, I went to a Dermatologist and they said it was sunburn but I insisted I believe there’s a bacteria infection which she blew off.
Anyway, three years later and I continue to have occasional flair ups with fluid buildup. I still believe it’s an infection that my body keeps in check but it’s still there!
I want to seek out a doctor who will biopsy it and have lab tests done to confirm my suspicions!
You just had a rash. It wasn't a flesh eating bacteria.
Cool story though.
-doctor-ish
Apart from the biopsy, you may algo want to seek help from a psychologist or someone that may help you to control your anxiety.
Never self diagnose but if you are concearned find another dr.