seafood/beach walks and Liver disease/ Vibrio vulnicus

[merryBe]

here's more info on the reason raw seafood/shellfish and even ocean water can be dangerous  to liver patients, especially those with high iron levels.

http://www.ebi.ac.uk/2can/genomes/bacteria/Vibrio_vulnificus.html

[Fl_Gator]

err on the side of caution and cut oysters out of your diet...even other shell fish. But read the data above....More than 900 people in 18 years....in gulf coast states....and they weren't all Heppers. It sounds like you have a better chance of winning the Florida Lottery than catching this infection from swimming in the ocean. Consider how many people vacation and visit the beach in any given weekend...let alone throughout 18 years.

I have lived in Florida all my life and spent countless hours on the beach and in the ocean...I've gone on many dive trips in the Keys and been scrached and scraped by coral and rock even bitten by fish and cut by lobster trying to grab them bare handed (not a good idea, go back to the boat and get your gloves). Although I can't pinpoint when I contracted HCV, I'm sure it has been more than 20 years and have never caught anything bad from the ocean. I'm sure that it's ok to swim or just walk on the beach...especially in cold ocean states...

I have certainly stopped eating oysters and shell fish since I was diagnosed. My father  (jazz musician) played a gig at a sea food restaurant in New Smyrna and almost died after eating there that night...He got some strain of hep and spent a good long time in the hospital and months of recovery....

People don't stop going to the beach.....DON'T EAT RAW OYSTERS

[merryBe]

DS...
thanks for the encouragement, and yes, it is different strokes for different folks.
I think the folk that just want to do what doc holiday says and let it go at that tend not to come in here that much though...but the service towards better treatment and better health cannot be underestimated.
Even if things occasionally get testy in here over a subject ot two, or semantics, etc, I think the group does good work and needs to keep the goals in mind.
Glad you are here.

Willy...
I think that goes without saying, since the general populace get exposed regularly and their livers handle things fine.
Just realize however,,
that they ARE handling toxins that are ever present! Also climate effects how much bacterium is present as ones health effects how much one can handle true, but local climate cannot guarantee that the dish you "order out" won't have levels high above the norm, not the way things are flown around these days....nor can apparent health guarantee a reaction will not occur, nor that some damage will not be done, even if not readily perceptable.

the question though, is how does one know when it's too much toxin?
I think getting sick is not a good way to find that out, so I'd ere on the side of caution until one knew the liver was out of danger, i.e. Had SVR'd for quite a while.

After all, as an example: I know that while Nutrasweet (Equal) while it does not contain formaldehyde, nevertheless it is metabolised into formaldehyde by the liver. Now, before I knew I had liver disease...I knew that stuff was toxic and would have none of it...
so the chances I'd risk consuming that now are even less. It might then follow that my alerting everyone to this is just a gift to those who prefer to "buckle up" so to speak...or.........a word to the wise...take your pick.  : )))))))))))))))))))))))

[merryBe]

try goggling mercury poisoning.

If his symptoms fit you could call your local lab and get it tested, as he could be given treatment if it is mercury to get some of it back out.

I'd stay WAY away from any city dump area, especially now that they've added a new layer of mercury in the form of all those "energy saving" florescent bulbs, which contain mercury.

For the other 10,000 things the fish could ingest in such an area as well, it's just not a good idea.

Sometimes I think we just don't think of the possibilities.
Like for instance, I saw this wetlands that was a duck hunting area for years...and now it's a farm....but has anyone thought to test the food there for lead?? Probably not.
MB

[Willy50]

Good post I think.
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" I was not aware of this information though only that eating raw shellfish was not considered a wise idea:-( "
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This is a rather common response.  Many people have no idea that it's an issue.  That's why it's good to post such things; scarey or no.

Eating raw seafood/sushi is also a newer and hip thing to do; one more reason to make people aware of it.

One other thing to emphasize...... not all people with HCV are hyper suseptible to vibrio vulnificus.  The people who are least subject to it are people with low iron and low liver damage and strong immune systems. Some heppers have all three.

The MOST suseptible might be cirrhotics, people with impaired immune systems, high iron, and otherwise impaired blood cleansing capabilities such as those with a TIPS procedure where the blood bypasses the liver.

best,
Willy

[DragonSlayer45]

No wonder you are tired, that was long ROTFLOL

Seriously I really appreciate all the stuff you put out as I find it to be interesting stuff. I also agree with you how newbies can get scared from reading some things but should take it all in a little at a time. I still remember when I learned I had hep c. I started to read stuff and thought I had just been given a death sentence. As I continued to read I slowly began to educate myself on all things HCV and will continue to do so until they find a cure for all.

I also agree with you that this is the best forum on the internet for hep c. I have participated in many over the years and this one is  hands down the best because of all the great people who contribute like yourself, jmjm, hepatitis researcher, and everyone else who just support everyone and try to get good solid information to people. I like the facts mam.

Also I was only kidding about the long winded reply. I prefer them that way actually if you are saying something important.

I also think it stinks but we do need to watch what we ingest in our bodies since our livers and immune systems are under attack. I happen to love seafood, raw clams, sushi, and alcoholic beverages too. I don't mean getting drunk but rather to drink socially. . I have had to put it on hold for a short while. When I beat this beast into submission I may revisit it again someday. I was not aware of this information though only that eating raw shellfish was not considered a wise idea:-(

[5kings]

My hub brought home a sea bass he fished out from our local river which is close to a ending of fresh water river.  And above that are old mills along with a running trash plant. He fried it well and ate a good amount. then later he felt very dizzy, nausea, blurred vision and shortness of breath. It continued the next day he had two of the same spells.  He is wondering if it could contain high levels of Mercury?  If so should he send the other raw fish to be tested? Where do we go for that?
Thank you