Fish tuberculosis

[fernival brainard]

http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/...nfections.html


I got curious about fish tb after reading a post about fish tuberculosis(that I can't find now.... ) and started looking for more info. I haven't read the entire article (yet) but so far it is one of the better ones that I have found concerning the disease.
So, for anyone interested.....up 'air she be, just point and clickety-click

regards!
fern

[...KEP...]

Hahaha
I've read that one. Scared the bejeebers (what, am I 80?) out of me! Found it informative as well though.
Karen

[Tommy Gun]

post about fish tuberculosis(that I can't find now.... )

In case you are still looking for that Fish TB thread, it is located right HERE.

started looking for more info

To be honest with you....based upon my observations and research, the largest problem with this Fish TB subject is that for every article you find, you can probably find two others which would contradict it to some degree. While I am not sure if that is due to the lack of scientific progress within studying this issue, or that it has simply become 'skewed' like a lot of other aspects of this hobby, the good news is that in both cases, the cause for this lack of reliable information is probably due to it being a rare occurrence that it is transmitted to humans - which is not to mention that, as I pointed out in that thread above, the 'risk' of it being transmitted to humans is not solely limited to contact with an aquarium.

Scared the bejeebers (what, am I 80?) out of me!

While I am sure you may be exaggerating, the premise of every one of my posts in that thread above is simply to contradict the idea that Fish TB is something to be scared of. Don't get me wrong though, I realize that it is a serious risk to both us and our fish...I am simply trying to say that while we certainly should respect Fish TB, we shouldn't fear it (Oh man, I must be the getting old since I sound like my dad who used to say the exact same thing when teaching me how to use his circular and table saws!!!)

I do agree with you though...that article does seem to contain what may be useful/accurate information - but like I said, it is hard to know which article/info to place faith in since they can differ wildly between each other.

[...KEP...]

Completely agree with you there Tommygun! Other articles I've read have been very passe about it, so I didn't really think it was a HUGE deal until I read the one Fern posted the link to -I'd read it a few weeks ago as I found it when browsing the net looking for info after another post was very alarmist about the subject...I had been thinking 'what's the big fuss about?' until I read the Lawler article then sat up and took a bit more notice. I'm a nurse, so of course, I know taking proper precautions and using common sense prevails for me, but common sense doesn't seem to be so common these days, does it? Maybe the nurse in me knows that having to take TB meds isn't too cool...and the thought of having to explain THAT to my employer was what scared the 'bejeebers' out of me....Not the best choice of words on my part...sorry if I freaked anyone out.
Karen

PS I think the other thing that bothers me in Lawler's article entitled Tank Safety/Fish TB http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Lawler_Tank_Safety.html
(which builds on the one Fern posted)
is that he gives a detailed explanation on how to go about getting a proper diagnosis...In my experience, relying on getting a proper diagnosis of something such as this QUICKLY in our health system in Ontario is a gamble at best.
Tommy...your link to that other TB thread isn't working....I'd love to read it again as I think it may be the one that got me digging around on the net in the first place!

[Tommy Gun]

http://www.fishtankforums.com/5-fres...sh-tb-all.html

Sorry about the bad link...not sure what happened to be honest with you, but I also fixed the previous link as well.

I agree with you in that I would hate to be telling your boss that you have TB...but as a nurse, I am sure you are fully aware of how effective simple precautions like washing our hands can truly be...as well as some of the other tips and tactics I found and posted about within the thread above.

[fernival brainard]

Just to clarify things a bit....I didn't go looking for fish tb articles out of fear or alarm....I am horribly interested in any microbe that can almost wipe out a species....I would pee my pants with excitement just to set foot inside a level 4 hot lab (study stuff like ebola ect. in lvl 4 labs) but I did post the above link in hopes to alleviate fears taht others might have....the article does a fair job of showing how SLIM the likelyhood of anyone catching tb from fish really is, you have a better chance of catching tb from a person that is infected, IMO, and only then if you are in close proximity for a prolonged period...I also wanted people to realize that in todays world, unlike 100 years ago, tb is very treatable and cureable....while it is something we should be aware of, it is not anything to be overly concerned about....I know after reading the entire article, I went home to vacuum one of my tanks, inhaled a quart of the water (I needed my trace minerals, lol) and I feel pretty confident that I didn't contract any fishy disease from the experience...but I did get some sand in my mouth (we'll call it a crude form of fiber) anyways, be at ease fish lovers....you probably have a better chance of a plane landing on your house than of contracting fish tb....thank goodness for that, I think....
regards!
fern

[...KEP...]

Should have known better than to 'open my mouth'....perhaps I'll stick to occasional reading instead of posting.
K.

[Jay]

Well said Fern!!!

Not washing your hands after using the toilet is a far, far greater risk to you and yours than the family aquarium

Jay

[...KEP...]

My last attempt...and coincidentally last post/visit to this site. I hope none of you ever have to experience what it is like to take up to 18 months of some of the nasty meds they use to treat an infection of mycobacterium marinum. Keep laughing about it. Nice jab about the toilet seat. I feel as though I am being made to look like an idiot. (not by you Fern...sorry to cause a ruckus on your thread) VERY tired of the 'holier than thou' junk on this site. Nice way to treat a newcomer who has sincerely tried to help others out. Not my best foot forward on this thread, I did acknowledge , but at one point I did feel like I had something positive to contribute. And to think I was one of the people asking you to stick around, Jay.
K.

[Jay]

Hey KEP

Wow...sorry you took it that way. There was no jab intended. I apologize if you took my remarks as an attack or insult. They were intended to be anything but.

I have used that statement (which is true) before to help make the point that there are other more common behaviors which have a far more immediate and deadly risk than hands in the aquarium water. One of the universal precautions for protecting yourself from bacteria or virus is to wash your hands frequently.

I am an Executive Chef and have fired personnel for hand washing violations because it is up there in the top three of sickness or death due to food born pathogens transmitted by HANDS. There was no bathroom humor intended what so ever.

I don't think you caused a ruckus at all...you had a legitimate concern. Is it possible to get a bacterial infection from aquarium water?..yes...but it is very , very rare and curable PLUS it is NOT the human form of TB, which Fern Pointed out.

I think Fern was trying to comfort folks who were extremely anxious, with calm facts and probabilities.

again...sorry you took offence where none was intended.

Regards,
Jay