MRSA

[CalabashFishman]

Hey all. Around here in NC/SC a lot of fishermen I know have this infection called MRSA. Is this happening everywhere on the water? Are we more cloned to it because we work with so many different people, or is it in the water? I will be honest, I worked on the boat for less than 6 months and I had this crap already. There was a report on TV last night about so many people dieing from this infection. The worst part is, once you have it, you have it and it doesnt go away. Its starting to freak me out.

Whats your opinions on this infection

[Deep C]

I was one of the first kids on the block with it and it is a *****... I got chasing spots of iot around for a couple years. It would just find someplace else to set up. I told one doctor I had it and that I was now growing alergic to amoxicillin... That stupid prick I guess didn't believe me. He prescribed augmentin... Thats basically amoxicilin super strength!

Over night I blew up bad!!!!! My arms were one big blister. Not only doesn't MRSA get dented by it but it eats it and produces a violent toxin... Condition can be fatal in a hurry and damn near got me. Its called necrotizing faciitious... Basically burnt the skin off my arms and took months to heal.
We chased the MRSA withlevaquin and it kept it down but its a ***** if you work in the sunlight like I do...

I got pronged in the neck by a sailfish and MRSA attacked with a vengence... Again touch and go dangerous... Surgeon had to cut that infected area out. Since the MRSA itself sets up camp in a pocket of tissue that it killed the novocaine didn't work... MF!!!! THat was ten minutes of knife time I will never forget.

The infections Dr went against what I have heard to be the normal course of treatment. He put me on Cipro which should not have worked but it wiped it out but good... I see tiny spots of it now and then but betadyne nukes it good. I'm pretty sure some has set up camp or at least scarred my inner ear cause I get vertigo really bad from time to time...

[TheChumStain]

Its from the bait we use and the bacteria on the boats. IE; coming bads and the decks. What happens is your hair folical or two will get infected and it will cause a staff infection which will in turn become a boil. There are only certain medications that will kill it off along with nasal spray from your doctor and a bacteria wash sold in most drug stores. Some cases the boil needs to be removed and most times it will effect a joint area like your knees or hands.

[hedjug]

you boys get me thinking about this now... did some reading & it seems like the mrsa is more likely to come from us, our dirty boats or our dirty buds than from ocean water. MRSA is common on many folks & will infect cuts... fisherman seem to get cuts & are also typically dirty fuggers.

[deepwater]

You don't want to get MRSA. If you get it in your blood system it's bad. My wife had a total hip replacement two years ago on 12/29 and was back in the hospital two months later for three weeks due to hospital acquired MRSA with them flushing and cleaning. And then on introvenous antibiotic for a couple of months and then on oral antibiotics for the last two years. They still can tell her if there is any left in her system. She just stopped the antibiotics and doing blood test monthly. They don't know what to do about it. It's all over the hospitals.
I have had a spot or two on me but I think I got rid of it with turpentine. Don't laugh it's great stuff. Our family has used it for many years on pimples etc. The Doc says it highly hypoalergenic but agreed it's great stuff.

[BrunsCoFisherman]

Turpentine will definitely get things done. If you don't believe it, just splash some on a cats ass & he'll out run a rocket ship!

[softcrab]

Hey all. Around here in NC/SC a lot of fishermen I know have this infection called MRSA. Is this happening everywhere on the water? Are we more cloned to it because we work with so many different people, or is it in the water? I will be honest, I worked on the boat for less than 6 months and I had this crap already. There was a report on TV last night about so many people dieing from this infection. The worst part is, once you have it, you have it and it doesnt go away. Its starting to freak me out.

Whats your opinions on this infection

is short for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Staph infections were routinely resistant to penicillin and methicillin was therapy of choice but the Staph organism became resistant to methicillin. MRSA is typically found in hospitals and nursing homes where a lot of antibiotics have been used and the staph organisms have developed resistance. This germ has become more common in the general population and is typically spread by contact with the skin of people who have this infection in boils, pimples, etc. It is not uncommon in locker rooms or among athletes who share shower facilities. The most effective method of prevention is hand washing and skin cleanliness after contact with wounds or people who are colonized.

In severe infections vancomycin has proved effective.

[softcrab]

Staph tends to form abcess. Small ones are infected hair follicles or small boils.

The primary rx for abcess is surgical drainage. What this means is that the pus needs to get to the surface and have the pressure relieved. Usually the body will clear the infection if the boil is lanced and the pus drains to the surface.

Of course deep seated infections in joints or body cavities will need professional attention. Dead tissue needs to be removed. Systemic infection with fever or septicemia will require antibiotics in addition to drainage. If a staph abcess is causing sickness, antibiotics alone will not cure it. It must be drained.

[jimbo62]

it really has nothing to do with fishing and everything with a nasty bacteria that doesnt go away easily. It is all about contact.
we had a problem with our kids getting it from wrestling mats - keeping them clean and sanitized has become a real priority.
boats are tough to keep clean. the best bet is to make sure you keep washing your hands.

[TheChumStain]

it really has nothing to do with fishing and everything with a nasty bacteria that doesnt go away easily. It is all about contact.
we had a problem with our kids getting it from wrestling mats - keeping them clean and sanitized has become a real priority.
boats are tough to keep clean. the best bet is to make sure you keep washing your hands.

I would beg to differ on the "just keeping your hands clean" in reference to the boat. As you said in keeping the mats clean. The bait we use and freezes, refreezes and thaws again promotes bacteria exspecially when you thaw it with fresh water and not salt. The fish boxes we used hold the bacteria from poor cleaning and then you kneel on the deck, next thing you have is a swollen knee from the bacteria getting in your hair folicles. Pads on the gunnels are really bad because it festers in the foam and has the most contact with everyone.

Hibiclens is the skin cleaner that will help slow the bacteria's spread to your home after fishing. Just think, a commercial guy packs your butters or ballies, you get them he has MRSA now you contact it and it goes on. Spray bleaches for cleaning the fish boxes and cushions will help and don't hurt the meat if residue is left.

been there had this