7 Signs to Look For After 6 People Die from Flesh-Eating Bacteria
Here are the symptom of Vibrio vulnificus, a deadly bacterium.
It has been an unusually hot summer on the East Coast, with higher-than-usual ocean temperatures. While many people enjoy swimming in warmer water, there is one major drawback: Warm water provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Since the start of the summer, at least six people have died after being infected with "flesh-eating" bacteria while visiting the eastern coastline. Here is what you need to know about Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially deadly bacterium.
According to health officials, two people in Connecticut, one in New York, and three in North Carolina died in July and August after being infected by the virus.
According to the CDC, between 150 and 200 infections are reported every year. Of those, one in five die as a result, usually within just a day or two after showing symptoms.
People usually contract the virus one of two ways: By exposing open wounds to brackish waters or by eating raw or undercooked shellfish such as oysters that live in coastal waters. Keep reading to learn about the symptoms of this deadly bacterium.
There are many symptoms to look out for, per the CDC. The first is watery diarrhea.
A few other symptoms often accompany watery diarrhea. One of them is stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Nausea and vomiting are two other symptoms commonly accompanying watery diarrhea.
If your bloodstream is infected, there will be another set of symptoms. One of them is a fever and/or chills. A fever can also go along with symptoms.
The fifth sign of a blood infection is "dangerously low blood pressure."
Another sign of a blood infection? "Blistering" skin lesions.
RELATED: Kayaker Swallowed by Humpback Whale Tells Her Amazing Survival Story
There is another set of symptoms to watch out for in case of wound infection, which may spread to the rest of the body. These symptoms include fever, redness, pain, and swelling.
