A
31-year-old man who took a swim in the Gulf of Mexico just a few days after
getting a tattoo done died after contracting an infection by a flesh-eating
bacteria, BMJ Case Reports has reported.
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The
unidentified man had ignored advice not to get into contact of open water for
at least two weeks after getting his tattoo, reports said. He swam in the warm
waters of the Atlantic between Mexico and America just five days after getting
inked on his right calf.
Soon
after, he developed sepsis near the area of
his tattoo – a
crucifix and a pair of praying hands. He also got a high fever, chills and a
rash close to the tattoo after swimming, Metro reported.
His right leg
subsequently turned purple and he was admitted to a hospital, where it was
found that he had a vibrio vulnificus bug
infection and that his liver had stopped working. The bacteria is found in warm
saltwater and infects people with open wounds or weak immune systems. The
infection, which usually affects the limbs and the perineum, begins at a site
of trauma, and spreads fast.
Doctors
at the hospital said that the man's drinking habit had also contributed to the
severity of his condition.
Although the man
was put on life-support and his condition improved eventually, his body
succumbed to septic shock, which caused his kidneys to completely fail. He died
two weeks after the incident.
While
the man's nationality is not known, the details of his medical condition were
published in BMJ Case Reports on 27 May. It is not clear when the incident
happened.
According
to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one should keep away from
open water and sea water for at least two weeks after getting a tattoo done,
and avoid raw food for some days.
The
National Health Service (NHS) advises that unsafe and non-sterilised needles,
if used during the tattoo process, can lead to Hepatitis B and skin
infections. There is also risk of contracting HIV infection, skin infections
and skin allergies.
The national
healthcare system recommends that people consider these things carefully before
getting a tattoo.
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