Caribbean Infection in the water !

[Ziggy7]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but this may be very important to some :(


http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=145084

[PrincessMelody]

Thanks for the info!! I hadn't heard of this before.

[TeresaJenkins]

WOW!
I go cut by a stingray in GC this past Jan. I guess I was lucky.

I did have a weird fever thing going on for almost 3 weeks that my Dr. couldn't put his finger on, but I waited too long to go to see him.
Yikes, if I had known about this story back then I would have been a mess.

Great post!

[JaniceB]

My sister stepped on a stingray. She was in the Keys and the water was cloudy, they had a bad storm the day before. The tail came and hit her in the ankle, right above the bone that stickes out. She felt severe pain and ran to the beach. She went to the hospital and they told her what it was. When she came home she spent 10 days in the hospital getting antibiotics. They even did a mamogram of her ankle, the only way to tell if a part of the tail was still in her ankle. She lucked out and the doctor treating her in Maryland had encountered this type of injury before. She could have lost her foot. It was very scary. She had been in the Bahamas before Key West and had feed the sting rays. I have no desire to get up close and personal with one after her experience.

[divinggirl]

Yeah, there's bacteria EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME. I hate to be blunt but this is not exactly news...Most of us are more unfamilliar with waterborne bacteria, as we come in contact with them much less frequently, but if you get a wound in the water or have an open wound exposed, you are at as much risk for infection as you would be on land. This is not a new thing, and people should not change their habits or plans or freak out in response to this--it is easily treated with standard antibiotics.

Nikki

[Time2sail]

Many years ago in Destin (in the bay and in shallow water) I stepped on a stingray. It got me on the top of the foot and by the time I got to the shore my leg was numb to the knee. Fortunately, no infection but burned like I was on fire plus I have a nice scar from the sting.

I was told afterwards never to step (up and down motion in the water) but slide your feet in the water. The stingray will move--you won't be surprised and neither will it. I didn't even see it until after it got me. Learned my lesson the hard way. :eek:

[HeatherInFlorida]

I think everyone should basically just stay home. Way too many dangers out there what with bacteria, warm water growth of whatever, noro viruses, gosh I could go on forever. So I say just stay home where everyone can disinfect everything on their way into the house.

I'll take my chances and cruise ... .....:D

[divinggirl]

LOL Heather! I think the OP had the best of intentions but the thread title is unnecessarily alarmist, as that (or any) bacteria and subsequent infection certainly isn't isolated to the Caribbean...

[jhannah]

They even did a mamogram of her ankle... Now that I'd love to see! ;)

[the2ofus]

When we did the Stingray City excursion on Grand Cayman, we were told to never step, but to shuffle through the sand, as Time2Sail said. If we chose to swim, or were knocked off our feet by waves, to be very careful to look before putting our feet back down. We were also instructed that the barbs were in the upper side of the tails so we must be very careful of contact with the tails.

[FoxyTerrier]

Many years ago in Destin (in the bay and in shallow water) I stepped on a stingray. It got me on the top of the foot and by the time I got to the shore my leg was numb to the knee. Fortunately, no infection but burned like I was on fire plus I have a nice scar from the sting.

I was told afterwards never to step (up and down motion in the water) but slide your feet in the water. The stingray will move--you won't be surprised and neither will it. I didn't even see it until after it got me. Learned my lesson the hard way. :eek:

WOW - I grew up in the Destin area and Stingrays used to live under our dock. I was always a bit afraid of them and luckily nothing bad ever happend to us. After going to Stingray City in Grand Caymen I thought I was just being silly to be so afraid of them - I guess I wasn't so silly after all.

[FoxyTerrier]

Now that I'd love to see! ;)
I can't imagine them squashing an ankle they way the do boobs.

[HeatherInFlorida]

How would we even get out ankle up onto the machine? What a picture! And then squishing it! Yikes!

[ekerr19]

Here, I thought it was just me... I am sitting here thinking, "Isn't this the wrong part of the body????" :eek:

[zdude]

My god. This is as bad as the pool bacteria threads. Yes Heather everyone should stay at home all of these bacteria means that you will get them, LOL.

If you go in the ocean or pool with scraps or open sores that you believe could be infected, its your own fault if you catch something. First of all if you do it in a pool-- gross. In the ocean, oh well.

Older folks, younger folks are more at risk and people with immune system problems too. Frankly I have been in the ocean with some scraps from pavement rash on a bike accident while on vaca, I just could not keep myself from it. No problems at all (but then again, I have a studly immune system).

This crap doesn't change my approach to my cruise one bit.

Actually getting stung by a stingray is much different I guess, but the link it to an abrasion from the mouth, the tangent thread is stung.

[Ziggy7]

First of all let me say it was never my intention to have people change their plans, I don’t intend to change my plans swimming with stingrays in CG, however if you read the link, you will see that people had infections or signs of this infection but didn’t know to get treatment for it! Some people are not as immune to infection as others are, they know who they are, so even though I could have worded this a little differently in the beginning, I don’t see anywhere on here where I encouraged anyone to change their plans! I was just passing on info that I thought others might like to know. Nothing more so those who think this is funny or find offensive, then I'm sorry :( I will be more selective on what I pass on from now on :(

[HeatherInFlorida]

No, Ziggy, there was absolutely nothing wrong with your intent on this thread. It's the reaction of some that I was responded to. Some people just go off the deep end.

I think your post was great and informative and forewarned is forearmed. Please don't think anyone here is questioning your intent. I can't speak for everyone but I certainly know that wasn't what I was doing. You certainly don't need to apologize for anything!

[Time2sail]

We learn from these posts so please do not let a few comments stop you from posting information that could save someone's life. I fortunately did not get an infection but as you say I might have a better immune system than someone else.

Had someone told me how to avoid my sting, I would be forever greatful. It hurt terribly. I hope by my comments others will learn not to "step" as they walk through the water and land on a stingray. It can ruin a wonderful cruise or vacation.

Thanks for caring enough to post the warning.:)

[Bill S]

Ever since I went through USAF Water Survival School, with one exception I have pretty much avoided immersing myself in the ocean. There are just too many things in the ocean that can/will either injure, maim, infect, kill or eat you! :) Scary stuff!

(Some of you might be asking why the Air Force has a water survival school-good question! They train aircrews what how to survive if they have bail out over water. I should co-host MailCall with R. Lee!)

[vijoge]

I think everyone should basically just stay home. Way too many dangers out there what with bacteria, warm water growth of whatever, noro viruses, gosh I could go on forever. So I say just stay home where everyone can disinfect everything on their way into the house.

I'll take my chances and cruise ... .....:D


Finally, a voice of reason. . . ;)

[JaniceB]

I couldn't believe they could do that to an ankle either. Everyone in the hospital was laughing. They wanted to make sure that the tail had not stayed in her ankle and a x-ray would not show soft tissue, so they tried it. It saved her from an operation. I had forgotten about the pain she experience when it first hit her, but it was like TimeSail2 experienced.

Heather in Florida - I will never stay home, but I will never swim with sting rays intentionally. My sister enjoyed her swim in the Bahamas, but if she had know what could happen she would not have done it.

I try to take in all the information I receive and apply it to myself and my children (when they were young) and not force my opinions or fears on others. I like being informed.

[dakrewser]

Some people are not as immune to infection as others are, they know who they are, so even though I could have worded this a little differently in the beginning, I don’t see anywhere on here where I encouraged anyone to change their plans! I was just passing on info that I thought others might like to know. Nothing more so those who think this is funny or find offensive, then I'm sorry :( I will be more selective on what I pass on from now on :(

Anytime I learn something I didn't already know (or previously knew, but had forgotten, like this) it's a good posting.

Thanks Ziggy!

[FlorenceItaly]

We are cruising in a little over a week, and I booked dh, ds and myself on a Snorkeling with the stingrays excursion!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marie

[Ziggy7]

Thanks for the support to everyone who did, some of you I know so I knew what you all were doing :) others sounded so negitive but after I read the replys from those who it gave info to I feel like my mission was accomplished :)

Marie, dont worry, just be sure to scoot swish your feet when walking around, which you really dont need to do much of, they will come to you :) I did the swim/snorkel with stingrays in Nassau, the water was too deep to stand so we never had to worry about that till we exited on the stairs, we could see them there though, but they were comming up to top od stairs in water to be petted by the ones afraid to get into the water. I just loved that excursion and heard the one in GC is better, so we are booked and doing that one, we will just be more cautious is all :)
I also heard that the more people on and around the sandbar, the less likely one will be under the sand hanging out to step on. Just becareful and be prepared to have a wonderful experience!:) I know I did!

[Time2sail]

We learn from these posts so please do not let a few comments stop you from posting information that could save someone's life. I fortunately did not get an infection but as you say I might have a better immune system than someone else.

Had someone told me how to avoid my sting, I would be forever grateful. It hurt terribly. I hope by my comments others will learn not to "step" as they walk through the water and land on a stingray. It can ruin a wonderful cruise or vacation.

Thanks for caring enough to post the warning.:)

Spell check, where are you?

[TeresaJenkins]

First of all let me say it was never my intention to have people change their plans, I don’t intend to change my plans swimming with stingrays in CG, however if you read the link, you will see that people had infections or signs of this infection but didn’t know to get treatment for it! Some people are not as immune to infection as others are, they know who they are, so even though I could have worded this a little differently in the beginning, I don’t see anywhere on here where I encouraged anyone to change their plans! I was just passing on info that I thought others might like to know. Nothing more so those who think this is funny or find offensive, then I'm sorry :( I will be more selective on what I pass on from now on :(

It was/is a very informative post. Please don't let the neg. posts keep you from ever posting things like these.

Some have nothing better to do than to make fun of others, get personal , and try to stir things up, but this should not change your posts.

I know most people here mature enough not to think you were suggesting anyone stay home, but instead to check out a "fever" after any type of injury in the ocean.

Thank you again Ziggy7!

[FlorenceItaly]

Ziggy -
Our excursion is in Nassau too :). I so appreciate the information you posted. Thank you for posting the article and the link. If something were to occur, now I know it can be serious.

Marie

[ekerr19]

I couldn't believe they could do that to an ankle either. Everyone in the hospital was laughing. They wanted to make sure that the tail had not stayed in her ankle and a x-ray would not show soft tissue, so they tried it. It saved her from an operation. I had forgotten about the pain she experience when it first hit her, but it was like TimeSail2 experienced.


JaniceB - I just want you to know you gave me one of the best laughs I've had in awhile when I read your first post... and then the subsequent "mammogram" posts. :) I hope you know we were not making fun of you - it just hit me strange and I guess a few other folks too!

Thanks for making my "Freaky Friday" I loved it! :D

Oh, and btw, I'm glad she wasn't seriously injured - that would not be fun.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Janice, I honestly thought it was a mis-type. So they seriously did a mam on an ankle! Well, there you go!!! Too funny.

[Ziggy7]

Ziggy -
Our excursion is in Nassau too :). I so appreciate the information you posted. Thank you for posting the article and the link. If something were to occur, now I know it can be serious.

MarieThanks Marie, here was my inital review of Nassau, I took the ships excursion, I have heard that independant BlackBeards was not good at all and was in shallow water. There is much review of both on these boards though :)

NASSAU:

The walk to the catamaran from the ship was at least 4 blocks away, this was the same for all water excursions.

Hubby was not feeling well today so I went on the Blue Lagoon Stingray snorkel excursion, waters were choppy and it was rainy a lot of the time in spurts and then stop, this was really fun for me as I have never done anything like this, however a lot of pax were not real pleased as they had done this in better places. We were in a netted fenced off area, 15ft deep, swimming above approx. 6 or 7 stingray pets, yes I called them pets, these were so tame and loved to be touched or hugged, which the workers did a lot of, We also got to feed them pieces of squid, they have no teeth so it felt really weird like a gumming action, it was great!

Again shopping seemed high in all ship recommended stores. We did not care too much for this port again but I loved Blue Lagoon!

[Ziggy7]

It was/is a very informative post. Please don't let the neg. posts keep you from ever posting things like these.

Some have nothing better to do than to make fun of others, get personal , and try to stir things up, but this should not change your posts.

I know most people here mature enough not to think you were suggesting anyone stay home, but instead to check out a "fever" after any type of injury in the ocean.

Thank you again Ziggy7!Thank you :) Dont forget to swoosh your feet too :)

[FlorenceItaly]

Hi Ziggy - Thanks so much. I am not sure whether we are going to Blue Lagoon, or not. This is a Royal Caribbean cruise. I have been to Nassau several times, and it is one of my least favorite ports. I thought this sounded like a neat adventure, and something our ds(17) would like. We may even go to Atlantis, as that is something I have never done. We are in Nassau all day and late into the evening.

Marie

[HeatherInFlorida]

It was/is a very informative post. Please don't let the neg. posts keep you from ever posting things like these.

Some have nothing better to do than to make fun of others, get personal , and try to stir things up, but this should not change your posts.

I know most people here mature enough not to think you were suggesting anyone stay home, but instead to check out a "fever" after any type of injury in the ocean.

Thank you again Ziggy7!


Okay, now I get it. I couldn't figure out why this poster came after me with such venom on another thread. Since your words here are identical to the ones you used on me on the other thread, your message is clear.

Obviously she didn't like my post on this thread which was all in good fun and almost everyone knew that, including Ziggy.

As it happens, Teresa, Ziggy and I are friends and she wasn't speaking about me. If anyone is stirring things up here, I believe it's you and I'm going to ask that you stop now.

Thank you.

[Ziggy7]

As it happens, Teresa, Ziggy and I are friends and she wasn't speaking about me.
Thank you.Yep, you are very right Heather. :)
Not sure whats going on here but Heather and I are friends and she and I always joke around with each other, maybe we better start saying that, so people know we are joking :)

[TeresaJenkins]

Okay, now I get it. I couldn't figure out why this poster came after me with such venom on another thread. Since your words here are identical to the ones you used on me on the other thread, your message is clear.
Obviously she didn't like my post on this thread which was all in good fun and almost everyone knew that, including Ziggy.
As it happens, Teresa, Ziggy and I are friends and she wasn't speaking about me. If anyone is stirring things up here, I believe it's you and I'm going to ask that you stop now.
Thank you.

Heather, It gives my no pleasure to admit this, but you are correct. Let me 1st say I am really sorry. This was the thread, and I misread your intention here. This is my mistake, which if I change it I would. Please accept my heart felt sorry. I didn't mean to attack you, but I see from what I wrote that I did just that. I also, hope you can understand that my point was lost and that I was trying to say I don't know if you were trying to be offensive or not.
This thread set the tone for what I wrote in the other post/thread. Because I have personally baggage on this subject It seems I took your jest as being neg. My nephew almost lost his foot because of an infection he got after stepping on a clam shell- This is my baggage that should have given me a clue that I was reading you wrong. This is my mistake and I understand if you don't believe me when I say I'm sorry.
I won't be addressing you again with this clouded vision. Please consider what I said and know that I know I was wrong.

[dakrewser]

Heather, It gives my no pleasure to admit this, but you are correct. Let me 1st say I am really sorry.


Now there's something we don't see very often on these boards. What a wonderful thing to do.

Why I remember it took me days to apologize to Heather the first time...:rolleyes:

But seriously, if we could all realize we've mis-read something and own up to it what a much better world we'd live in. Thanks for making this a better day and a better place.

[ekerr19]

Now there's something we don't see very often on these boards. What a wonderful thing to do.

Why I remember it took me days to apologize to Heather the first time...:rolleyes:

But seriously, if we could all realize we've mis-read something and own up to it what a much better world we'd live in. Thanks for making this a better day and a better place.

Dave - I know you are joking about Heather, but some very harsh words against Heather were posted on the alcohol thread... others may not realize this.

It is always easy to point the finger - taking it back is the hard part. I know this from my own experience... Heather has had to endure some very undeserved and unwarranted criticism today, for merely doing what you are always able to do - speaking her mind.

[Ziggy7]

Why I remember it took me days to apologize to Heather the first time...:rolleyes: hahahaha are you sure it was that quick! I had forgoten those days :) And for the record, Heather is a very kind person who speaks her mind, she is also very forgiving ( right Dave :) ).

[Ziggy7]

It is always easy to point the finger - taking it back is the hard part. I know this from my own experience... Very true, thats why I try to walk away and think things over before I open my mouth, which I havent always done, and hurt someone who didnt deserve to be hurt. All you can do is apologize and hope the reciever will accept it.

It takes a special person to accept an apology. I have made many appoliges and thank God, they were accepted :)