Health

Teen May Lose Her Hand to Antibiotic-Resistant, Flesh-Eating, Fish Tank Bacteria

Teen May Lose Her Hand to Antibiotic Resistant, Flesh Eating, Fish Tank BacteriaHannele Cox is a normal 13-year-old girl who loves horseback riding and volleyball. But, she has unfortunately had to give up these activities, as her life has been dramatically impacted by an antibiotic-resistant flesh-eating bacteria. Gawker has more:

Five years ago Cox, who hails from San Bernadino County, California, cut her hand while pulling it out of a fish tank. It was just a tiny scratch! Yet it created a pathway for Mycobacterium marinum—microscopic creatures that sometimes cause a chronic skin infection called fishtank granuloma (also known as “aquarium granuloma” and “swimming pool granuloma,” for those of you who enjoy freaking yourself out with malady-related Internet searches).

Cox’s hand started oozing, and she was put on antibiotics. But nothing could stop the bacteria, which have the very obnoxious habit of eating people’s tissue and bones.

Hannele’s family has found a specialist who has had success in treating this rare illness before, but if medical interventions don’t work, her hand may need to be amputated. Hopefully, her doctor will be successful and able to mend this ongoing and life-changing illness. Watch below for more from KCAL9-TV:

This is surely folly for anyone who fears rare diseases and illnesses.

(h/t Gawker)

Comments (45)

1 2
  • ObserverOnTheHill
    Posted on June 15, 2011 at 7:07am

    I agree, get her to soak her hand in, or spray colloidal silver on infection.

    Report Post »  
  • ThoreauHD
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 6:52pm

    I wonder if she’s tried colloidal silver, black chestnut extract, and the like. It seems very similar to lyme’s disease.

    Report Post » ThoreauHD  
  • THEHighlander
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 6:13pm

    There is a product called SilverSoft that will take care of this. It is chelated silver, not colloidal. If you know your science, the difference is night and day. My family has been using this for years and it is amazing. But once again, not FDA approved so you won’t get this from any doctor you see. The government is really doing it’s best to improve medicine, aren’t they?

    Report Post »  
  • bjornskis
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 6:03pm

    you don’t see her blaming anyone or feeling sorry for herself she just wants to get on with her life,

    Strong young women you have there

    some times the worst can bring out the best in ones life

    keep the faith either way a cure or the hand this girl is going to succeed in life

    Report Post »  
  • justonevote
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 4:57pm

    Hannele Cox is in my prayers for healing from this virus. Also, may she continue to receive peace from the Holy Spirit.

    Report Post »  
  • GodsPuppet
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 3:02pm

    God heal this child. Amen

    Report Post »  
  • eramthgin
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 3:00pm

    May God bless her and take care of her. There is no understanding why this happens to someone who seems to be so good and kind. I just hope that the doctors can save her hand if not then head out of the country for alternative treatment. If she were my daughter there is no mountain I would not scale to try and save her hand.

    Report Post » eramthgin  
  • MSMOM
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 2:28pm

    As horrible as this is for her, we have done this to ourselves. We over medicate, take antibiotics for a stuffy nose, and anti-baterial ourselves to oblivian. Not all bacteria is bad, we no longer have a natural immune system because we are constantly trying to kill germs. If you never come in contact with germs or bateria your body can’t fight them off.

    Report Post »  
    • eramthgin
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 2:58pm

      Your point is well taken but does not apply to this strain of bacteria.

      Report Post » eramthgin  
  • jammin johnny
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 1:51pm

    colloidal silver works!!!!!

    Report Post » jammin johnny  
  • candcantiques
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 1:33pm

    EASY TO CURE !!!! The doctors know it but they would rather cut her hand off then spread the news that colloidal silver kills ALL bacteria, germs, viruses EVERYTHING. Thats why everyone used to eat off of sterling silver. No dangerous bacteria. I had MRSA on my finger. Collodial silver cured it in 2 days.

    Report Post »  
    • kindling
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 2:10pm

      I have used CS (colloidal silver) for years and I can tell you for as good as it is, it does not kill everything. When I get a strep throat CS can’t touch it. I get strep even using CS.

      Report Post » kindling  
  • DusterMH53J
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 1:23pm

    She’s still going to be a knockout – with or without her hand. She is going through her own personal challenges right now and regardless of the outcome I pray that she emerges stronger for the experience!

    Report Post » DusterMH53J  
  • PApeacemaker
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:26pm

    What a shame shes gonna be a knockout when she gets older.

    Report Post » PApeacemaker  
  • Whyismynamealwaystaken
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:06pm

    Christians pray for her! She will be alright. In Jesus name!

    Report Post » Whyismynamealwaystaken  
    • Cesium
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 2:01am

      god schmaud,,, what kind of evil god does this? god is evil

      Report Post »  
  • BlazingInSC
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:17am

    Why does this article make it seem like this child’s life is all but over? If it comes to the point in time when her hand must be amputated, life doesn’t end. Normalcy doesn’t end. Things simply change. I know that is easier said than done, but I have a nephew who lost an arm (to the elbow) in freak bicycle accident in which the chain snapped and severed both bones in his forearm cleanly. It took a couple of hours for him to receive medical treatment because he was out riding in a pretty desolate area, so it couldn’t be saved. At any rate, he went through his bouts of depression and self-loathing (which is to be expected), but since then has regained a newly defined sense of normalcy. He still rides, he plays baseball for his high school team, he learned how to write with his other hand, and if not for the prosthetic, you would not even know he was “different”. Stop with the melodramatic reporting Blaze staff! This child will have a difficult time enough finding inner hope – she doesn’t need journalists piling on the “woe is me” mentality to drum up sympathy – it doesn’t help.

    Report Post »  
  • W@nd@
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 10:34am

    ASAP
    Silver Sol Technology …hmmmm
    did they even try this?
    kills these buggers in 6 seconds flat
    even MRSA…
    Why do they not know of this technology?
    do they live in a vacuum? check it out …
    honestly they uses it in war zone
    to help with traumatic injury to stop invasive secondary infections
    before they have a chance to even get a hold! helps heal faster!

    Report Post »  
  • cyndijane
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 10:25am

    Hyperbaric chamber therapy has been shown successful against anaerobic organisms. Lakeland Regional Medical Center (Lakeland, FL) has treated this in at least one incident that I am aware of. Prayers for this young lady.

    Report Post »  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 10:05am

    If I were her I would look into Mannatech out of Texas…I have seen miracles occur with their product.

    Report Post »  
  • christos
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 9:55am

    …….She should contact Amanda Mc Quade Crawford,a medical herbalist professor-Amanda has a show on–VERIA station-that is called “What a Relief”,also on VERIA–The Incurables,it would be worth a try–they are advanced healers,not of the conventional synthetic medical community.

    Report Post » christos  
  • Navyveteran
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 9:25am

    Amazing how one tiny little scratch can cause something as tragic as a flesh eating disease. Why are not the comments readable? Is this a new thing here at the blaze?

    Report Post »  
  • endgamer
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 8:54am

    One acronym.. MMS (miracle mineral solution.)

    Report Post » endgamer  
  • OUTRIDER WRITER
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 7:29am

    Hang in there, honey. You’ve done all you can do. Good things will come out of this; you just can’t see that far ahead to know what they are. But He can.

    Report Post »  
  • loadingmyclips
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 7:16am

    good thing my fish all died!

    Report Post » loadingmyclips  
  • mathewreven
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 6:44am

    This story highlights what is wrong with our medical system in America. They only look at “medical” solutions for problems. For ages, people have known that metals like coppor, silver and gold kill germs and bacteria and they do it in a unique way. They won’t allow them to reproduce. Colloidal silver or gold would be a good choice for this condition and there is no danger to trying it.

    Report Post »  
    • ILUVAMERICA
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 9:10am

      You are soo right!
      The pharmaceutical commpanies have everyone thinking they are the ones who can heal.
      That my pill, it could cure you or it can give you a heart attack, don’t worry, just take it and we’ll see what happens
      To try something natural is looked at as witchcraft

      Report Post » ILUVAMERICA  
    • NES
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 10:33am

      Unless, in the case of silver, you consider argyria a problem. Not that it shouldn’t be done, but it has to be done properly and safety issues shouldn’t be taken for granted.

      Report Post »  
  • Ironmaan
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 6:43am

    Seems that the bugs are getting more and more virulent.
    http://bioterrorsurvival.com

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 6:42am

    .
    I hear Weiner got the same thing but not from a fish tank….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • Mandors
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 7:57am

      Wait, there was never ANY contact with other women. Yeah, right.

      Report Post » Mandors  
    • imreddog
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 10:17am

      There are a number of treatments that would most likely stop the infection in this young lady, but the doctors aren‘t allowed to use them because they aren’t FDA approved. It they know of these treatments and tell their patients, they will lose their license to practice medicine. Three treatments that come to mind are;
      1) Colloidial silver with a dressing of “Silverlon”.
      2) MSM. It has been very sucessful on several “incurable” diseases.
      3) Low amperage DC electricity. This has been successful on everything from mosquito bites to snake bites to Brown Recluse bites. This would be my first choice since I have personally used it with great success. CAUTION: A very small battery can be dangerous if not used properly. As an example, Stun guns use a 9 volt battery and they can put a really big man on the floor in pain. If you decide to try this, do your research first.
      Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. I do not give medical advice.

      Report Post »  
    • imreddog
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 10:19am

      Correction. It’s not MSM, it is MMS.

      Report Post »  
    • I Hear the Wolves
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:05pm

      Colloidal Silver will cure ANYTHING!

      Report Post » I Hear the Wolves  
    • 101
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:43pm

      @imreddog
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 10:17am
      There are a number of treatments that would most likely stop the infection in this young lady, but the doctors aren‘t allowed to use them because they aren’t FDA approved. It they know of these treatments and tell their patients, they will lose their license to practice medicine. Three treatments that come to mind are;
      2) MSM. It has been very successful on several “incurable” diseases

      ____________________________________________________________

      You’re 100% correct…another not FDA approved,

      -Oceanslab MMS premium grade mixed with citrus acid, absorbed thru skin in bath water & taking a treatment oral/internally…been very successful on several “incurable” diseases

      -MSM. It has been very successful on several “incurable” diseases

      Report Post »  
    • 101
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:54pm

      @imreddog
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 10:19am
      Correction. It’s not MSM, it is MMS
      ________________________________________________
      U had it right…
      Bio-Alternative “MSM Powder” & MMS…both can be absorbed thru the skin in bath water
      #1) MMS with proper instructions & #2) also use MSM!

      Report Post »  
    • davidgoodbar
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 10:05pm

      Years ago (in the late 60‘s and 70’s) they tried hyperbolic chambers with very high oxygen levels to treat such infections- with some success. They ought to try that.

      Report Post » davidgoodbar  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:47pm

      Keep the FAITH Young Lady…Pray for God’s will.

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • imreddog
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 9:57am

      REF: Years ago (in the late 60‘s and 70’s) they tried hyperbolic chambers with very high oxygen levels to treat such infections- with some success. They ought to try that.

      Actually, it is hyperbaric chamber. I have a soft hyperbaric, but it only goes to 1.3 atmospheres. They still use the steel chambers along with medicines when treating stubborn infections. I don’t know if that will work with this particular infection. I would try some alternative medicines.

      Report Post »  
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