Catching Tuberculosis???

[Max]

I would be concerned about a tb out break . I would also strongly encourage you to seek medical attention. The chance of cross contamination is small but, it's very real. A tb based skin infection is a very nasty disease as stated above and you DON'T have to exhibit any symptoms to be a carrier. If you are around babies or other people with compromised immune systems seek medical attention. I would regardless.
hth and please keep up posted!

 

[Ghost_knife]

Fish TB is Transferable to human, one of a couple fun little disasters that can happen to you. and there's more then just a 0% chance. if your fish do have it it's around 12~15% chance you can get it. It's very incurable to fish, if you suspect your tank has it get aquarium gloves, rinse them with bleach and water between use.

 

[Marinemom]

That's just {expletive} insane logic. I mean it's NOT logical at all. If you are actually worried about one of the rarest diseases on earth, then you need serious help.

There's a small chance that I'll be struck by lightning at any given moment. It can happen even when the sky is clear. The odds will never be 0. But I am not worried about.

If you stick your hand in your dirty aquarium, then wash you hands when you are done.

If you waste a doctor's time asking about a disease that you have a 1 in a million chance of getting, then you deserve high health care costs, because your wasting everyone's time.

My my my. someone is testy today.

 

[Ghost_knife]

At this point I will Re-itterate my post. It's communicable to humans. It's painful to treat in humans. dont risk it.

 

[jaswv5]

Estimated annual incidence is 0.27 cases per 100,000 adult patients. Of the approximately 150 cases described, most are case reports of cutaneous (skin) infection".

You have a better chance of winning the lottery.

I doubt very much, Toirtis, that the two people you knew with skin infections actually had M marinum. Unless you know two people who won the lottery separately. The odds are very much against it.

The odds of winning Powerball, as posted on their website, are 1 in 146,107,962. Compared to the incidences of adult patients, which would be 1 in 370,370. Also, you must take into account that this incidence is for all adults, not just those who come in contact with fish--their actual risk would be much higher. If you ask me, it is well worth the precaution. As the old adage states "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

I am not concerned about being struck by lightning (the odds of which are about 1 in 600,000) but I also do not go outside in a thunderstorm and hold a tall metal rod...

If you choose to take risks with your life, thats fine. I would advise, however, that you not impose your risk-taking as the only "logical" course of action on others who are seeking education and advice.

 

[Kaozman]

I agree, don't weaken your immune system worrying about something so remote.

 

[spineyurchin]

In 1990 while working part time for a large importer of tropical fish in Alexandria, VA I was lucky enough to get 8 wild caught discus still in the orginal shipping water straight from the Amazon. I took my discus home put them in a 100 gal. tank (along with their shipping water). Several weeks went by in which I was feeling progresively sicker, after a multitude of tests it was discovered I had Necator americanus (human hookworm). Now while I can't say for sure I contracted this parasite from the amazon water my fish were shipped in there are a couple things that lead me to think this is probably the case.
1. At the time I had the bad habit of starting the siphen with my mouth when doing a water change. Yes, I know that is a disgusting. But if you've never got tank water in your mouth before your just not keeping fish.
2. Human hookworm is most commonly found in moist warm climates (i.e. the amazon) and not eastern WV, northern VA where I live.

Just wanted to post this to let everyone know TB is not the only thing you can catch from your aquarium but like all things if you use common sense and good judgement you should be able to enjoy your hobby and still stay healthy.

 

[abh19]

Since Mycobacterium marinum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis are two separate species, the simple human TB skin test won't identify it. There are many different mycobacteria species lurking out there (about 25% of humans are estimated to have some kind of chronic mycobacterial infection).

If you have a skin rash after being exposed to it, you should see your doctor and get a Mycobacterium MARINUM test, which involves culturing the bacteria or doing a DNA test. NOT a human TB test. And the sooner, the better, as the infection can spread rapidly sometimes. But it is curable (in humans, at least)! See this article for more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycobacterium_marinum

Hope that helps!

 

[jaswv5]

Just wanted to post this to let everyone know TB is not the only thing you can catch from your aquarium but like all things if you use common sense and good judgement you should be able to enjoy your hobby and still stay healthy.

Good point, spineyurchin.

And as far as weakening your immune system worrying, perhaps do a little research on the topic:
"Laboratory results showed that acute stress – stress that lasts for minutes to hours – temporarily mobilized all major types of immune cells, or leukocytes to potential battle stations in the body. In certain situations, this stress-induced boost in the number of immune cells may be advantageous, as leukocytes fight infections and other diseases."
(quoted from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Firdaus Dhabhar and Kavitha Viswanathan)

I don't know about any one else, but I don't spend more than an hour or two cleaning tanks, and it only "stresses" me for a moment to remember some safety equipment and procedures...

 

[kimmisc]

I asked the nurse, surely there is an incubation period. If they do a skin test, would it even show up positive now if I just came in contact with it?

She didn't know. just said for me to go in.

maybe I'll call back tomorrow.
ugh.

Wish i would have known there were dangers putting your hand in the tank.

I work in the medical field and have to get biannual PPD's (that's the TB skin test).

If we are ever exposed to a TB patient who isn't masked, we have to do a series of 3 PPD's over a period of time. Yes, it is possible for it to not show up immediately.

I'm sure the TB fish have is a different type of TB, but I would expect the same to hold true. If you want to be sure, but don't wish to pay for multiple tests and don't feel sure about an immediate test, wait a couple months then go get your PPD.... unless you show symtoms, of course.