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Doctors warn swimmers about risk of flesh-eating bacteria in Houston-area beaches, lakes, and ponds
Click2Houston • • health
Key Points:
- Health experts warn Texans to avoid swimming with open wounds, including cuts, scrapes, razor burns, or fresh tattoos, to prevent necrotizing fasciitis, a rare but severe flesh-eating bacterial infection.
- Necrotizing fasciitis rapidly destroys soft tissue and requires immediate surgical intervention, often involving multiple operations and possible amputation, with fatal consequences if untreated.
- The bacteria causing this infection are present in both saltwater and freshwater environments, such as lakes and ponds, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk.
- To reduce risk, swimmers should avoid water exposure with open wounds, wash thoroughly after swimming, monitor wounds for infection signs, and seek prompt medical care if symptoms worsen.
- While beaches are not routinely tested for these bacteria, Texans can check water quality through the Texas Beach Watch program before swimming, and early treatment is crucial for survival.
