Flesh-Eating Bacteria Takes a Bite

More ocean scares from Galveston, Texas: www.click2houston.com.

After thirty minutes of fishing in the warm waters of Texas, bacteria found a chance to enter his blood stream through a cut in his leg. Within days, he developed a sever infection and may lose the entire leg.

If you have an open wound and insist on entering warm ocean waters, be aware of the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus. If you do have a cut of any sort, wash your wound with rubbing alcohol as soon as you leave the water. This bacteria can also spread to humans through contaminated seafood (mostly shellfish) but most of us know about the dangers of bad shellfish.

Flesh-eating bacteria in the ocean? That's a new one for me and it's going on my list. With all of its dangers, why are we so drawn to the clear blue ocean waters?

Fear of the Ocean

Ah the ocean, with its waves lapping up against the shore, and its many wonders and mysteries. Humans have a long history with this great and vast wet thing.

So why did this make it to my long list of phobias? Let's first look at the crazy creatures who call it home. Fish the glow, giant squid, tube worms, living sponges, sea bugs, moray eels, scary sharks, and giant mammals. And, apparently this giant Black Sea Bass. (Edward Lellewellen with a very large fish Credit: Library of Congress)

Air. Ocean dwellers don't need it. Isn't that a clear indication that they belong in water and we belong on sandy beaches or solid boats surrounded by lots of breathable air?

"Jaws." This movie ruined my beach bunny life before it ever had a chance. That reminds me, if you want to see bunnies reenacting the movie in 30 seconds, click here.

Zero warning. It's a perfect day with the perfect temperature and you are splashing around like an idiot when suddenly a creature whooshes past your unprotected legs. Or a big wave takes you down and you find yourself face to face with a stinging jellyfish. A coral reef full of gentle tropical fish is heaven for scuba diving fans until a hungry eel decides to take a bite.

Finally, you can't outrun anything in water. On land we can at least give ourselves a little bit of hope of escape. If a large animal, say a dog, decides to attack, you can try to outrun it. You could dodge hedges and mailboxes, turn the corner and wait for the opportunity to whack it with a stick. Or escape up a tree and wait for help. Unless there is a hungry wild cat hiding in the tree as well. Hmm. Maybe land animals are worthy of phobias as well. Snakes, wolves, creepy men in bowler hats (refer back to the photo)...