Vibrio vulnificus and Me
While perusing the news threads as is my daily habit I ran across health warnings for seafood contaiminated with a gram negative bacteria called vibrio vulnificus which is said to be making the rounds and is quite prevalent and even more deadly. |
Being an older fat guy I naturally took notice and got the information I wanted regarding just what the risks are ... but really failed to see how they appertain to me personally.
It turns out that researchers think that the bacteria may be looking at older fat or chubby men as 'easy targets' at which I pretty much cast scorn in light of such unscientific generalizations ... but boy the news threads are pushing the spin vigorously.
First, the bacteria is indigenous to coastal estuaries and the like and has been vectoring primarily through the consumption of raw shellfish. It is said that contracting this bacteria can cause death in as little as a day or two. The "lucky" ones merely lose an appendage or two and are concentrated primarily in the raw oyster eating populations. However, beachgoers have also contracted the bacteria from proximity in the waters they inhabit and therein lay the morbidity.
You can cook seafood. You can't boil the beaches to kill the bacteria prior to utilizing the shore for recreation.
| • | Thoroughly cooked seafood will kill those germs including vibrio vulnificus bacteria. |
| • | Hygiene is emphasized with recommendations that include washing kitchen utensils in hot soapy water. |
| • | Avoiding raw seafood material including those juices which typically are part and parcel of newly unpackaged seafood. |
| • | The primary treatments are antibiotics, surgery, and amputation. |
| • | The prognosis in full blown cases is grim. |