Forum Thread

Logan Martin Lake Topics

(Logan Martin Lake Specific)

4,311 messages

Updated 1/15/2024 10:58:34 AM

Off-Topic

Lakes Online Forum

83,605 messages

Updated 4/25/2024 9:33:24 PM

Boat Maintenance

Lakes Online Forum

5,193 messages

Updated 4/3/2024 3:47:36 AM

Logan Martin Lake Fishing

(Logan Martin Lake Specific)

126 messages

Updated 12/23/2022 9:21:15 AM

Jokes

Lakes Online Forum

4,169 messages

Updated 4/15/2024 11:05:05 PM

Sports

Lakes Online Forum

4,260 messages

Updated 3/24/2024 9:24:45 AM

Grilling & Recipes

Lakes Online Forum

2,976 messages

Updated 3/20/2024 11:53:43 PM

Tallapoosa River Topics

Lakes Online Forum

98 messages

Updated 4/15/2024 1:00:58 AM

Forum Usage Rules

Name:	Bob -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/15/2012 8:14:04 AM

Is anybody following the horrible story of the 24 year old otherwise very healthy young lady in Georgia who is fighting off death after being infected with "Flesh Eating" bacteria? She has lost her leg, will lose her hands and her remaining foot even if she lives. She contracted the bacteria after suffering a cut while boating the Little Tallapoosa river...yes THAT river. The same river that feeds Lake Martin. Now as I understand it, this bacteria is really present in most water sources but must have a way to enter the body and then, certain folks just dont have the right immune system for this particular bacteria. The problem is YOU dont know if you are susceptible or not, same for your kids. Any Docs out here? I am just curious and wondering, since we know the bacteria is likely present in Lake Martin, like almost all lakes, can we assume that years of exposure equals immunity? I mean I know I have and my kids have swallowed enough LM water to fill a pool and i know we have all swam at one time or another after cuts and scrapes so the opportunity has been there to allow for infection. Well...who knows but is is scary and tragic to think you can raise your child, get her through college and something like this can destroy their lives. 1 out of 4 DIE. Just keep an eye on yourself and your kids, if a cut or scrape shows ANY signs of infection (Warm, red and tender, increasingly sore) go to the doc. If caught very early it can be stopped...very early is the key. This poor child was near death in 48 hours...

Name:	lubdalake -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/15/2012 12:41:08 PM

Yes it could happen, because the so called "flesh eating bacteria" is not caused by a single type of bacterium, but can be caused by any number of bacteria causing a condition called necrotizing fasciitis. The bacterial infection is caused commonly by group A Strep bacteria, which is the same bacteria that causes common Strep throat. Usually easily killed by antibiotics, sometimes a very strong variety of Strep occurs. This is the one that causes the life-threatening cases and is known as the "flesh-eating" bacteria. NF can also be caused by other bacteria, or a mixture of bacteria. The bacteria destroys soft tissue at the subcutaneous level, and often is coupled with toxic shock syndrome, both are deadly alone, together they are even more so. If muscle is destroyed, it is necrotizing myositis. It can be contracted in many ways but the single biggest preventative measure is keeping the skin intact. Early diagnosis and intervention is key. If your kid has a open wound, keep a close eye on it, wash it often with antiseptic soap, and bring the kid in QUICKLY if it becomes red and inflamed looking. Lots of info on the web, just google it. Another potentially serious problem and is more likely to kill you is the so called "brain eating amoeba". Amoebas can enter the human nose after a person jumps or dives into warm fresh water like we have in Lake Martin. (Anyone for a jump off of chicken rock?). Personally, I would worry more about the Amoeba than the necrotizing fasciitis.

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/15/2012 4:29:14 PM (updated 5/15/2012 4:31:24 PM)

Death resulting from amoeba you speak of (Naegleria Fowleri) is extremely rare....only a few cases per year and a person is way more likely to get struck by lightning. Death resulting from Necrotizing Fasciitis is a little more common, but still only 2-3 thousand cases per year ( greater than the odds as a lightning strike, but still very rare). As for infection, you make a good point that early treatment is critical. I wouldn't worry about either, but everyone should be vigilant of open wounds. Enjoy life and use common sense, there are hundreds of far more common ways to cause ones demise.

Name:	lubdalake -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/15/2012 6:01:52 PM

Actually, if you are talking about NF from a Lake, and an Amoeba from a lake, the Amoeba is about as common, especially in the South. You are more likely to die if you get the Amoeba shoved up your nose from jumping into warm lake water than from NF. Agree that you should use common sense but at least with the NF it starts as an infection that you can probably see whereas the Amoebic infection of the brain you can't see the infection.

Name:	Sandy Tiger -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/15/2012 7:05:26 PM

Well hell! Let's go swimming!!

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/15/2012 8:08:25 PM

I'll respectfully disagree....according to Wiki, approximately 144 Naegleria Fowleri cases are documented and confirmed world wide since 1965. Bacterial infections resulting in Necrotizing fasciitis (although rare) are far more common and water is a prominent and effective way for the bacteria to be transmitted. Either way, these inflictions are nothing new and anyone stands a far greater chance of getting in a car wreck or drowning.

Name:	lubdalake -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/15/2012 8:20:55 PM

Wiki, now there's a source. You are missing the point. The point is, both are rare, you can get either from lake water, you stand a better chance of not dying with NF. About three deaths per year in the US is average, in 2011 there were three, all three from jumping into a southern lake. I agree that NF is more common but of those NF cases that caused death in the US last year, how many were from lakes?

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/15/2012 8:55:51 PM

Not missing the point and still respectfully disagree. I just used a source (Wiki) most would understand and could easily look up (and in this case they are accurate)...as a biologist by collegiate training, I studied both many years ago. Both are very very rare, but your chances of death from flesh eating bacteria contacted through water are many times greater on a percentage basis.

Name:	lubdalake -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/15/2012 9:11:30 PM

I give up!! You win!

Name:	roswellric -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/15/2012 9:58:36 PM

You are assuming it came from the water..... Maybe...maybe not.

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/15/2012 10:30:36 PM

lol. not trying to win anything, just trying to pass along information. My Bio degree has been mostly dormant for 30 years, but I did a paper on Naegleria fowleri my senior year...I selected the subject because I heard about it on the news (in the 60's as a child), and it scared the crap out of me; I had a fear of warm lakes and ponds for several years and it was unwarranted. The news blows too many things out of proportion because of shock value and both of these issues we are discussing fall in that category. Both are tragic, but are so rare we shouldn't change the way we lead our lives. However, vigilance on any flesh wound just makes sense. enjoy the lake!

Name:	Summer Place -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/16/2012 12:48:08 AM

McGill, with the luck you are having lately, I would stay on the dock...

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/16/2012 8:02:36 AM

lol, you may have a point. The way things are going lately, I may just find a blood sucking giant amoeba under my dock......you gonna be at the lake this weekend?.

Name:	Summer Lover -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/16/2012 10:18:18 AM

It's gonna take a LOT of beer to erase that image from my memory.....

Name:	BigFoot -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/16/2012 10:59:19 AM

...best spew I have had in 6 weeks!!

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/16/2012 7:42:00 PM

It is kind of a gnarley picture.....

Name:	Sandy Tiger -	Reply
Subject:	Flesh Eating Bacteria...Could it happen in Martin?
Date:	5/16/2012 10:31:27 PM

You know my brother in law?????

Quick Links
Logan Martin Lake News
Logan Martin Lake Photos
Logan Martin Lake Videos