This was the only picture of MRSA that wasn’t gag-inducing. MRSA is not pretty. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
I’ve been surfing for about 50 years and been attached to the ocean since I was an infant. I cannot imagine living without being in the ocean to surf, swim, paddle, fish, wade or row. I’ve been blessed to be able to live the life of a waterman and to pass on my love of the ocean to my children and grandchildren.
It’s been two weeks now since I fell victim to a hidden danger lurking in the water. I was really not very happy today as I sat at the beach under an umbrella and watched nice little waves breaking not 50 yards from me. I’m out of the water for at least a few more weeks and feel extremely lucky to know that’s all it will be. No, I wasn’t attacked by a shark, stung by a box jellyfish or Portugese Man of War. I was attacked by multiple forms of bacteria lurking in the ocean. My culture came back positive for a number of staph bacteria. Luckily, despite the doctor’s early dire prediction, it was not mrsa. I didn’t need to be admitted to the hospital for IV treatment nor did I have to take that powerful, oral anti-biotic costing $2400 for 20 pills. You read that right: $2400 for 20 pills – the equivalent of a reasonable quiver.
When I was a kid, long ago, whenever we had scrapes, poison ivy, chicken pox, or other skin problems, we were told “go in the ocean.” No longer can I do that. The ocean continues to be a source of all sorts of nasty bacteria. The data on ocean water and sand reveals most samples contain bacteria, and in 30-50% of the samples, there is mrsa. For those unfamiliar with mrsa, it is an antibiotic-resistant form of bacteria. It is serious stuff and can be deadly.
I have been an ocean activist for over 25 years. I’ve fought for improved water quality standards and rigorous, mandated water quality testing and monitoring only to see funds cut. I know better than to surf during or immediately after a rain event.
I know the facts yet the bacteria didn’t care. I’m pretty sure the entry point for my staph was a scratched mosquito bite made worse by a whack on the shin from my board. I wonder what role my wetsuit played.
After all, wetsuits are perfect mediums for bacteria. Now I’m doing my best to get rid of whatever might be lurking in those suits.
I’m not unique. It could happen to you just as easily as it happened to me. After a bit of research, I discovered that surfers are a prime at-risk group for mrsa. Guess all we can do is: 1) get active in any nonprofit working to improve water quality and monitoring issues like Surfrider, SEA, Heal the Bay, Clean Ocean Action or one of the others like these; 2) be careful not to go in the water after a rain event; 3) stay out of the water of you have any “open” scratch or wound; 4) be sure to shower and scrub after every session using antibacterial soap and 5) do your best to “defunk” your wetsuit.
There is danger lurking in the ocean!
