Read This Before You Let Your Kids Swim in the Lake This Year

[Dracho]

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-hsswim0530,0,5626783.story?track=rss


Deadly brain-eating amoeba strikes swimmers

A rare brain illness spread in freshwater lakes, rivers and hot springs killed six people in Florida, Texas and Arizona in 2007, the most in more than five years, according to a U.S. report.

The infection, almost always fatal, typically affects boys swimming during the months of July, August and September, said the report released today by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

Known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM, the infection has struck 121 people in 15 southern states over the last 71 years, the CDC said. It is caused when Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba found in fresh warm water, goes up the nose to the brain, leading to fatal damage.

"An updated and consistent approach to N. fowleri risk- reduction messages, diagnosis and treatment is needed," the CDC said in its report.

In one instance, a 14-year-old Arizona boy was hospitalized with severe headache, stiff neck and fever. He died from the infection eight days after diving and splashing in shallow water in a lake.

An 11-year-old Florida boy died of the infection 11 days after swimming and wakeboarding, the water equivalent of snowboarding, in a local lake. He was hospitalized as a possible case of bacterial meningitis, suffering headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and confusion.

Another Florida boy, 10, died after two visits to a local water sports facility. A third boy in the state, 14, was confirmed to have the infection in an autopsy after his death, though the location he contracted it was unknown.

A 12-year-old Texas boy was infected during water activities in a lake at summer camp. He was hospitalized when symptoms worsened after three visits to the camp nurse, and died five after admission.

Also in Texas, a man, 22, died after wakeboarding in a lake.

[Vipre]

7,960,664.83 to 1 odds. I wouldn't worry too much.



For perspective

Odds of Freezing to death 3 million to 1
... Being killed by falling out of bed or killed by an animal  2 million to 1
... Being electrocuted 350,000 to 1
... Dying in a plane crash 250,000 to 1
... Dying from poisoning 86,000 to 1
... Dying from complications during surgery 8,000 to 1
... Dying in a car crash 5,000 to 1

You're 1600 times more likely to die on the drive to the lake than by swimming in it.

(That's just one site's claim here's a list by the National Safety Council.)

[Dracho]

Doesn't work for me.. I have something akin to reverse lottery luck.

[NJAntman]

I previously worked as a field tech for an environmental testing lab here on the Jersey shore. Results for bacteria (fecal and total coliform) we saw in fresh water and back bay sites just after a rain event and up to 2-3 days later were crazy. If your going to swim in fresh water or even a back bay or creek just imagine every watercourse leading into it, and then every street sewer outflow anywhere near those. Then ask yourself if you would eat of the streets that feed those sewers. 

[Dracho]

Well, the bacteria aside, this story is a warning.  It's a tragedy, but I've never heard of "Secondary Drowning" from swallowing water while swimming, then drowning hours later at home..That's freaky...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,362815,00.html
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jun/04/childs_death_mystifies_mother43305/

[Bonk]

If I ever had kids I would not let them swim in fresh water. I do not swim in fresh water. I did as a kid, but sewage pollution then was a fraction of what it is today. All I dealt with was leaches, never once came across the parasites that plague freshwater swimming spots now.

Salt water is sooo much nicer to swim in, and less work too!

I will only swim in crisp, clear, cold salt water. It must be nearly cold enough to stop your heart, warm salt water is almost as bad as fresh water. Ideally with no domiciles nearby, if so they must have outhouses, not toilets that flush directly into the water.

[Spartan-039]

??????? Wow.

[Kapitän Kieran]

It shouldn't be 'don't let your kids swim in the lake', it should be 'don't let your kids go down South.'

[TheJudge]

There's one way to make sure the odds of getting this thing are zero - don't swim in a freshwater lake!

[Spartan-039]

Hey kaptian, I'm Southern! I take those insults personally.

[Kapitän Kieran]

You take offense at a tongue-in-cheek comment that was made as a joke and not aimed at anyone in particular? Dude... you need a thicker skin.

[Spartan-039]

I'm short-tempered to just about everyone, some people I can deal with, I ain't never seen you before, so don't be hurt if I anger. Beshides, the ameobea is almost like the Flood from Halo.

[Kapitän Kieran]

I've been around a long time, I just don't post often anymore, which is probably why you haven't seen me. I can sympathize about the short temper, as I can be rather prickly sometimes myself... just don't let it get in the way of being civil.

[Spartan-039]

Also, the reason I took offense is because I'm a redneck and rednecks are hard to civilize, I just hold my tongue more often than not.

[Dracho]

Also, the reason I took offense is because I'm a redneck and rednecks are hard to civilize, I just hold my tongue more often than not.

Oh, that's not really true.  You just need a good hog-shocker and some grits and you can get 'em to mostly behave...mostly. 

Just don't leave them alone with your pet 'possum.. no good will come of that.

[Spartan-039]

No, we prefer open season on deer. Beshides, my granpa used to cook roadkill.

[Dracho]

No, we prefer open season on deer. Beshides, my granpa used to cook roadkill.

Yeah, but has one of YOUR relatives ever been arrested by a game warden for shooting a mechanical decoy deer?  And then been more proud of the 200 yard shot than embarrassed by getting arrested?

 

[F9thCenturus]

No, we prefer open season on deer. Beshides, my granpa used to cook roadkill.

Yeah, but has one of YOUR relatives ever been arrested by a game warden for shooting a mechanical decoy deer?  And then been more proud of the 200 yard shot than embarrassed by getting arrested?

 

You shot Sparky???  YOU SHOT SPARKY?!?!?!?!?!   

Oh well, he was past warranty and rusting up anyway.

[Spartan-039]

Yes, I'm guilty as well, hey, I didn't get caught though, it's been two years  though. I was rushing along in my ATV with my 10 gauge in my lap. I saw a deer, I swearved to a stop let the thing have it, but it was a dummy so I hitailed it out of there.

[Dracho]

No, we prefer open season on deer. Beshides, my granpa used to cook roadkill.

Yeah, but has one of YOUR relatives ever been arrested by a game warden for shooting a mechanical decoy deer?  And then been more proud of the 200 yard shot than embarrassed by getting arrested?

 

You shot Sparky???  YOU SHOT SPARKY?!?!?!?!?!   

Oh well, he was past warranty and rusting up anyway.

No, my cousin's husband, actually.   If it had been me & one of my... weapons, there wouldn't be enough pieces left to qualify as evidence.  My... arsenal.. is for killing... varmints..typically varmints who.. er that might be equipped to shoot back.. so bigger is better..

I really miss my sweetie though.  Miss Nineteen... Although.. she was a chain smoker..but her daughter, XM307 is HOT!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uE9zmAECOKM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHf_vMd5MOQ&NR=1

[F9thCenturus]

No, we prefer open season on deer. Beshides, my granpa used to cook roadkill.

Yeah, but has one of YOUR relatives ever been arrested by a game warden for shooting a mechanical decoy deer?  And then been more proud of the 200 yard shot than embarrassed by getting arrested?

 

You shot Sparky???  YOU SHOT SPARKY?!?!?!?!?!   

Oh well, he was past warranty and rusting up anyway.

No, my cousin's husband, actually.   If it had been me & one of my... weapons, there wouldn't be enough pieces left to qualify as evidence.  My... arsenal.. is for killing... varmints..typically varmints who.. er that might be equipped to shoot back.. so bigger is better..

I really miss my sweetie though.  Miss Nineteen... Although.. she was a chain smoker..but her daughter, XM307 is HOT!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uE9zmAECOKM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHf_vMd5MOQ&NR=1

Mmmmm....chain smoker.....sexy and alluring.   *growls in a low tone and reaches for some Barry White*