Secrets of the City

AAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Staph?

Which plague are you talking about? That was Yersinia pestis.

I had a nasty staph infection several years ago. Foot and ankle swollen up real bad. One week on cephalexan didn’t do anything, so I ended up on a two week IV antibiotic course.

However, about 10 percent involved so-called flesh-eating disease

DO NOT WANT.

Hate to tell any germaphobes this, but your skin always has a small amount of staph on it. Also, wash your hands all you want, but germs are everywhere, it’s just their virulence you should worry about. Most healthy people are able to fight off staph a. without even knowing they’ve been infected.

P.S. I once bitched out a friend who would save up her family’s half used antibiotics so that she would have something to “cure” her colds. She’s a vet now.

However, about 10 percent involved so-called flesh-eating disease

aka necrotizing faciitis and pictures for those of you who never want to eat again or hone your OCD skillz

“P.S. I once bitched out a friend who would save up her family’s half used antibiotics so that she would have something to “cure” her colds. She’s a vet now.”

Hope you gave her a double dose, because there are two things wrong with that behavior.

mnblrmkr…you bet I did. You wouldn’t believe some of her moronic behavior when it came to her health. Do as I say, I guess…

oh. my. gosh.

That looks so painful. The one with the large black, liquid filled blister…wow…

There’s even more graphic photos, but I thought I’d let ya’ll find those on your own…blargh…

P.S. I no longer shake hands with anyone…kidding…

“She’s a vet now.“

Well, you warned her.

There’s another disease, I wish I could remember what it’s called, that makes tubes come out of your skin and feels like bugs are crawling inside you. Oh, and it has no cure. Oh, and some doctors think victims are just making the whole thing up.

I’m never touching anything again.

kwatt: “There’s another disease, I wish I could remember what it’s called, that makes tubes come out of your skin and feels like bugs are crawling inside you.”

It’s called ‘Tubebugulitis’.

No, it’s called Morgellons and it is NOT COOL.

After hearing about a intro Biology class finding necrotizing faciitis on the railings of the science building when I was in college, I didn’t touch railings for about 6 years. I’d rather break my leg then have my flesh eaten off…

After hearing about a intro Biology class finding necrotizing faciitis on the railings of the science building when I was in college

You can’t find nectrotizing faciitis on railings. It’s not a type of bacteria–it’s a specific type of bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. It can be caused by several different types of bacteria, some of which are very common intestinal flora or found in just about every type of soil.

Thanks, Elizabeth, that’s what I meant…

Speaking of illness, can I just say how much people who come in to work sick piss me off? They don’t take sick time, and their illness gets passed through the entire office. Especially the salaried people I work with–they don’t have to take PTO time if they’re calling in sick.

Ewww, yuck. That’s the last time I eat soil.

I hate that too, especially when you have to hear them hack and wheeze all effing day…

It’s the snotty sniffles that gross me out.

kwatt: “No, it’s called Morgellons and it is NOT COOL.”

Not to minimize the suffering of the people who complain of these symptoms, but I’m not completely convinced of the physical nature of this disease/syndrome, going from the links you’ve posted.

Many psychiatric complaints are also characterized by shared symptoms. I’m not saying that Morgellons can’t be a physically induced disease but I am saying that the foundation seems a little too quick to dismiss a mental aspect to it. People don’t like their complaints to be thought of as psychosomatic.

Apparently the CDC are starting an investigation into Morgellons at the end of this month, but I bet that its outcome will be far from conclusive. Too many potential contributing factors and not enough obvious physical evidence pretty much predetermines that, I’d guess.

It is totally disgusting when sick people come into work. I am a big believer in the use of sick days. If you do go to work when you feel like crap, you barely get anything done anyway, you get everyone else sick, and you’re sick longer because you don’t take the time off to rest and let your body fight the illness.

And with remote email access, you don’t have to fall completely off the face of the earth when you stay home, and you don’t gross people out with coughing and sniffling all day long. Plus you get to watch daytime TV while stoned on DayQuil.

When tubes get pulled from the face of a three-year-old boy, I have a hard time believing it is psychosis-induced. That’s like looking at herpes and saying it’s all in your head.

There’s a hypochondriac in my office who distributes hand sanitizer and surgical masks whenever somebody coughs.

I can’t remember the last time I missed work because I was sick. I certainly use them, but I prefer to call them “Mental Health Adjustment Days” or “Decompression Days”.

There’s a hypochondriac in my office who distributes hand sanitizer and surgical masks whenever somebody coughs.

You should lick the handset to her phone…

But aren’t germs mutating into super-strong mighty germs in reaction to the hand santizers?

I’ve been trying to work out a drink that uses hand sanitizer as a key ingredient. It’s mostly ethyl alcohol so I would think you could mix up something with it.

5 yo girls swear by the buzz induced!

But aren’t germs mutating into super-strong mighty germs in reaction to the hand santizers?

Yup! When they kill 99.8% of germs, those 0.2% that survive are more resistant to those sanitizers. They get to multiply and have baby germs that could be more resistant to those sanitizers, and so on….

But aren’t germs mutating into super-strong mighty germs in reaction to the hand santizers?

Hand sanitizers should really only be used when you don’t have access to soap and water, but the germs they discussed in the article are the “superbugs” in hospitals that they suspect arose from overuse of antibiotics.

Not so fast. Triclosan (the bactericidal ingredient, other than alcohol, in those sanitzers) is not an antibiotic. It’s closer to things like alcohol, bleach, iodine, and other things like that. We don’t worry too much about bacteria developing resistance to those.

Mpls Simpleton, a solution of 70% ethanol is used in biotech labs the world over to sanitize surfaces. So I think the start of your coctail should be Bicardi 151.

Oh great, now I’m worried about that .2% super germs.

The Super Germs sounds like a comic strip.

I wouldn’t worry too much, Ingrid. I’ve never had a flu shot and haven’t had the flu since I was 7.

Probably jinxed myself there…

Hand sanitizers are a waste of ethanol.

How many poor people will starve (then get the superbug!) because of this boondoogle!

I’ve never had a flu shot and haven’t had the flu since I was 7.

You need to rethink that strategy, my friend. We will discuss later in “Hey, Flu Face, Part III”

But the key to the drink is the squirting hand sanitizer into the glass!

But aren’t germs mutating into super-strong mighty germs in reaction to the hand santizers?

I counteract this by using progressively more sanitizer. Looking at the squirt bottle here on my desk, it’s active ingredient is 62 percent ethyl alcohol. So yeah, like somebody said, they probably don’t get immune to alcohol. If they do, sh*t, talk about finding the holy grail.

Sorry bob, I’m just not convinced of my personal need for the flu vacc. And I think I have an egg allergy (they still use eggs in the vaccienes, right?)

Oh, and Flu Face? Hahaha!

Weren’t the Floo Fighters the musical guests on last weeks’ SNL?

Sorry bob, I’m just not convinced of my personal need for the flu vacc.

The Minneapolis firefighter who died last year of influenza probably said someting like that also.

Flu Face, for those who have forgotten, is MNspeak shorthand for the American Lung Association’s Faces of Influenza campaign, which kicks off in this area later this year.

Check out who the national “Flu Face” celebrity spokesperson is this year.

No, I will NOT be giving anyone her phone number, so don’t ask, kevin.

kwatt: “When tubes get pulled from the face of a three-year-old boy, I have a hard time believing it is psychosis-induced….”

Tubes from face = material to be biopsied. Which, so far, is far from conclusive.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that this can’t exist as a physical disease, I’m just saying that if it does, its vectors seem to be very subtle and the symptoms are likely to be confused with known psychological ailments. So even a proportion of these cases were caused by, let’s say, a genetic predisposition interacting with a common pollutant, it would be very hard to confirm that to be the case and it would still mean that a proportion of sufferers reporting symptoms were, in fact, suffering from a psychiatric complaint.

I noted that the wiki entry for Morgellons suggests that most dermatologists seem to think it’s psychological in nature. Physical diseases typically leave physical evidence, and when patients have kept samples of the fibers they find in their sores, they don’t appear to show any unusual properties when analyzed.

It is worth remembering that people who have claimed to be abducted by aliens also have reported unexplained rashes, lesions, scratches and alien implants. I firmly believe that most people who report abductee experiences aren’t hoaxers, but I also don’t believe they were really abducted by aliens.

As far as bug resistance goes, I believe that a bigger culprit contributing towards resistivity isn’t overuse of antibiotics and incomplete courses in humans, but rather the massive overuse of antibiotics in factory farm environments where weakened animals in close quarters are extremely vulnerable to disease. I seem to recall reading that antibiotics are employed as a preventative in massive doses, and that this has lead directly to some of the nastier strains we’re seeing today.

Not sure what the answer is there, either. Eat less meat and drink less milk, I guess.

This really is neither here nor there, and I would make a separate post about it, but I can’t remember the website: I saw an ad on TV earlier this week about a Minnesota celebrity charity date auction, and Jeannette Trompeter is up for grabs. Start saving your pennies.

I just got WCCO’s Terri Gruca confirmed as MC for an upcoming ALAMN event (no offense, Jason!). Our event is free. I’ll post more later…

Bob, I’m not arguing the effectiveness of the flu shot, and people should get one if they want it, I just worry sometimes about the public at large being over-vaccinated…

Bob, I’m not arguing the effectiveness of the flu shot, and people should get one if they want it, I just worry sometimes about the public at large being over-vaccinated

Okay. But understand, we are a long way away from “over-vactionation” for influenza, there is no evidence to suggest vacination creates “superbugs,” and many people get common respiratory illness confussed with influenza. A cold will make you sick, the flu will lay you out, and can even kill you.

Remember the kids who died late in last year’s influenza season? It’s NEVER too late for a flu shot, which is why we are doing our campaign later, rather and now.

Good news — MN ranks among the highest in the US for adult flu vaccination.

Alie, I never get a flu shot either and somehow, I am miraculously still alive!

Josie, I think that date auction already happened.

And Alie, I worry about the over-vaccination stuff too. I have heard a scientist lecture about it and it make me pause enough not to get flu shots. If I had a child, I would learn more about it, but since the flu probably won’t kill me, I’m willing to take my chances with myself.

My perception of the flu shot is that it’s more important for the elderly and children, or people who are more vulnerable health-wise, and people who are around those people – especially since there always seems to be a shortage. Is that a correct assumption?

Tara, several people that I’ve talked to state that it isn’t the vaccination, but the preservative that could pose risks to young children. I did read that the newer flu vaccs have a preservative free option but are more expensive.

Josie, as of this week, there’s plenty of flu vacc to go around.

‘My perception of the flu shot is that it’s more important for the elderly and children, or people who are more vulnerable health-wise, and people who are around those people – especially since there always seems to be a shortage. Is that a correct assumption?”

Yes, except for the shortage part. The report is that there is plenty for this year. Inless you are a hermit, you should get a flu shot. I’ll use myself as example.

I have no kids in our home, and I have no regular contact with seniors. I don’t get the shot, and I get the flu. My wife gets it from me, and before she realize that it’s something more serious than a cold, she infects the woman who cuts her hair, and cares for her elderly mother in her home.

You can guess the rest..

See what I mean? Had, I, my wife, or the hairdresser been vaccinated, the chain of infection very likely would have been broken, and the hairdresser’m mom would have lived to see her youngest grandchild graduate at the U.

Bottom line: Just about everyone should get a flu shot.

Bob: I would get the flu shot if I could, but unfortunately I am allergic to eggs. It’s one of those things I worry about since I had the flu two years in a row and I did think I was going to die. Fortunately that was more than 4 years ago and have not had it since….
*crossing fingers, knocking on wood, throwing salt over shoulder*

So Jeannette has already found true love! Many MnSpeak fellas are disappointed, I’m sure.

Thanks for the info, Alie!

“I would get the flu shot if I could, but unfortunately I am allergic to eggs.”

All the more reason we all should so Cat can attend first ever MNspeak get-togethers without concern….

(crossing fingers for Cat)

Tara, several people that I’ve talked to state that it isn’t the vaccination, but the preservative that could pose risks to young children. I did read that the newer flu vaccs have a preservative free option but are more expensive

Not true. Plus, a new local study shows the benefits to the elderly.

There are alternatives without thimerosal, if you are still concerned –Fluzone prefilled syringes and FluMist come to mind.

Cat- me too…

I just think that it’s strange that basic illnesses like chicken pox and the flu have been elevated to these doomsday diseases that will KILL YOU! if you don’t get vaccinated.

When I saw that scientist (a former employee of Merck) give her lecture in the early 90’s she told us how in a few years, you would see scary literature in your doctor’s office implying that your child might DIE! if they didn’t get a chicken pox vaccine. I didn’t believe her. Who would every be convinced that the chicken pox was some deadly disease? Then lo and behold, she was right. That literature is everywhere and there was even an episode on ER where some kid died (or almost died I can’t remember) because her negligent mother didn’t get her vaccinated for chicken pox.

I have no kids in our home, and I have no regular contact with seniors. I don’t get the shot, and I get the flu. My wife gets it from me,

Another reason for me to not get married.

I have no kids in our home, and I have no regular contact with seniors. I don’t get the shot, and I get the flu. My wife gets it from me, and before she realize that it’s something more serious than a cold, she infects the woman who cuts her hair, and cares for her elderly mother in her home.

That reminds me of the chain-of-infection of Captain Tripps in the opening chapters of The Stand.

I’ve been getting the flu shot since college, since it was always free (either through school or work). I’m a big believer in the benefits of vaccinations far outweighing the risks. Also, I did get the flu one year and it knocked me on my ass for nearly two weeks. I hate it when people get the sniffles and call it the flu.

As for chicken pox, it can kill, especially if you’re older when you get it. The biggest benefit to the vaccine versus contracting it is the vaccine can prevent you from getting shingles later in life.

I think vaccines are great and beneficial. But recently I have been hearing a lot of talk about vaccines and autism (although not the flu vaccine.) I guess I would be really confliced about this if I had kids. I saw a compelling episode of Oprah where Jenny McCarthy (I know it’s Jenny McCarthy) was talking about how her son was completely normal, then he got this one vaccine and it totally changed him. He was later diagnosed with autism. I would be doing a lot of research on vaccines if I was a parent.

My mom just took me over to a friend’s house who had the chicken pox when I was 5, no shot necessary.

I just think that it’s strange that basic illnesses like chicken pox and the flu have been elevated to these doomsday diseases that will KILL YOU! if you don’t get vaccinated.

Not that I expect you to listen to reason Tara but the truth is many people die every year needlessly from a flu they could have been vaccinated from.

And the Chicken Pox is usually not a big deal for kids and many say it is best to try and get it (Chicken Pox Party!) because if you get it as an adult it can be very serious, even fatal.

Oh, I got the chicken pox when I was on vacation with my famiy at Disney World. That was a lot of fun.

I saw a compelling episode of Oprah where Jenny McCarthy (I know it’s Jenny McCarthy) was talking about how her son was completely normal, then he got this one vaccine and it totally changed him. He was later diagnosed with autism.

ARG! Yes, it is Jenny McCarthy. She’s a flake and I would not rely on her testimony. Yet another study has come out showing no relation to thimerosal and autism.

Stroll through an old cemetary, or perhaps dig into your family’s history, and you can see evidence of the numerous people that died of diseases we now vaccinate against.

Oh, Bob – I’m concerned with much more than contracting the flu from a MnSpeak gathering *ChEeZ*

As with anything, there are valid points for both sides. I think genetics and the environment play a large role in what people will or won’t react to. I agree with Ingrid that as parent, it is always good to research.

Alie: sounds so much like something my mom would do, did. Growing up in a big family though, we were pretty much guaranteed to get whatever a sibling contracted.

The best part about chicken pox: if you’re lucky, you may get to experience shingles later on too. Whoo.

Raindog, I am not adamantly against (or even at all against) vaccines. I just don’t know enough about it to feel comfortable getting one, so I don’t. I get the flu sometimes, and I live through it. It’s not the end of the world to me. When I get older and in a higher risk group, I’ll do some more research. And as Ingrid said, if I had children, I would do a ton of research before making any decisions.

I got the chicken pox twice, because the first time around I guess it was too mild to really build any immunity. I’d hope by now I’m safe from it, because I remember the second time around being AWFUL. My mom made me wear mittens because I scratched myself too much.

Ingrid, I read about Jenny McCarthy’s kid in an issue of People I read on an airplane recently. Apparently he’s making a lot of progress with some special diet, which is kind of controversial.

Yeah, I don’t know what to make of the whole Vaccine/Autism connection and I certainly would get the basic vaccines for my children (MMR, Polio, etc), I’m just not of a mind to get vaccinated for the flu since I’m reasonably healthy at this point in my life.

He was later diagnosed with autism. I would be doing a lot of research on vaccines if I was a parent.

If I were the parent of a child with autism, I would be franticly looking for someone ot something to pin the blame on. Why did this happen to my child?!? Then someone mentions vaccinations, and points them toward a website, or someone like Jenny McCarthy or Craig Westover….

Keep in mind that the plural of “anecdote” is not “data”.

Alie: sounds so much like something my mom would do, did. Growing up in a big family though, we were pretty much guaranteed to get whatever a sibling contracted.

I’m an only child and she also made sure to call my Grandmother ahead of time to babysit me when I was sick…haha!

Our event is free

Bob, you forgot to add “dom less.”

I just read about the Singled Out lady’s kid, too. I found it oddly refreshing that she was so honest about how she felt towards her kid after the diagnosis. You don’t usually hear that from parents in her situation.

They asked me to be part of the date auction, but I declined. I’m modest like that.

Cat has a point. You should be much more worried about the syph at a MnSpeak gathering.

There is plenty of information and misinformation about vaccines out there. Thus, using the internet you can get conflicting information. You should ask an expert, and NOT listen to Jenny McCarthy — or Oprah. I find it impossible to believe that Jenny McCarthy is an expert on what the causes of Autism are.

So, tell me, why does it hurt when I pee???

The event is the re-opening and rededication of our green HQ, Kev. We designed so we could add “a dom” later, if needed.

Also, we made sure we owned the land before we redesigned, and we didn’t sell our naming rights to a bank.

Apparently he’s making a lot of progress with some special diet, which is kind of controversial.

Especialy controversial because he can only eat KFC.

So, tell me, why does it hurt when I pee???
»» Submitted by »»» DouglasG

Don’t choke the chicken….hee

Okay, speaking of choking the chicken, I saw a dude doing that in his car this morning on the way to work.

…Doug?

Josie, I do hope you pointed and laughed at him,
cuz….it’s the right thing to do.

I stopped dead and stared, because it was like a train wreck I couldn’t look away from. And then I got my bodily motion functions back and started walking again, and I was dying laughing when he drove by me (he may have caught a glimpse of my horrified face through the window).

Seriously, dude, there is an alley around the corner from where you parked. Let’s keep the masturbation off the major thoroughfares, hmm?

I do hope he caught you laughing,
it would have served him right, as you say,
there are other places to do that.

Ya, bob, but you did suck the taxpayer’s teet to build it.

Okay, speaking of choking the chicken, I saw a dude doing that in his car this morning on the way to work.

I bet it was a red car, too.

Ha.

Actually, it was a minivan, with a car seat in the back and a “Baby on Board” sticker in the window. Thankfully, no baby was actually on board at the time.

Josie: “Okay, speaking of choking the chicken, I saw a dude doing that in his car this morning on the way to work.”

Maybe he was just having trouble with his stick shift?

Actually, it was a minivan, with a car seat in the back and a “Baby on Board” sticker in the window. Thankfully, no baby was actually on board at the time.

Classic.

I could never do such a thing without wrecking my car. This guy must not be very good.

I’m no expert, but it appeared to be operational.

I guess he wasn’t having problems with his clutch then.

Your added details of the vehicle he was driving are disturbing, although it goes some way to confirming something I have always believed about the drivers of vehicles with “baby on board” stickers.

Actually, he was parked, so no danger of running into oncoming traffic, or diminishing the crucial moment. However, he was parked on 1st Ave, between 18th St and the 94 overpass, which isn’t exactly a secluded alleyway.

A secluded alleyway would have been found around the corner from where he was parked, but I guess when you’re in the mood, you’re in the mood.

Wow, that’s so balls out. Pun…intended.

For the record…

When I drive — which is seldom — I drive a black pickup truck. I bike and carpool.

Secondly, the “Baby on Board” sign is soooooo 1984… That kid is in his 20’s by now.

Thirdly, I am happily child free!

I hope he washed his hands.

Yes, who’d want to be the guy who put the “cocc” in “staphylococcus”?

And who dare put “us” after “cocc”?

If I were smarting or faster I would have said “I swear that “cocc” is behind “us” . .”

*sigh*

There is not enough hand sanitizer in the world to de-germ that image from my brain.

Yeah, I guess staphylococci is probably more appropriate when driving solo.

For the record, this is NOT why I always carry sanitary wipes in my car.

Kev: The first sign of a compulsive self-pleasurer is denial.

The sanitizing wipes can be explained away, but the giant bottle of Astroglide in the glove compartment is a little weird, Kevs.

I’ve always thought that’s such a funny name for that product. I get a cartoon bubble of someone jacking himself right off into outer space.

How about a slogan: Astroglide – For when you need to reach escape velocity.

And keep your hands on your own side of the car.

I think somebody needs to get laid…jus’ sayin’

Alie, that can apply to so many people.

I’m just gonna leave that one alone. Keep my hands clean. lolz

Typical stupid Minnesotian: “Help! I’m sick with a deadly virus! I need drugs for medical relief! Oh wait…my bad! The drugs that I’m using is causing me to be sick in the first place!”

What bull! Anybody must be dumb enough to believe what the government and the media says these days!

Teucer,
now you’ve put the cocc in front of your i
and your driving solo?

that is an accident waiting to happen

hee

What bull! Anybody must be dumb enough to believe what the government and the media says these days!

It’s not just the government and/or media I’m getting my information from.

I’ve got a sister who’s a nurse at one of the Minneapolis area hospitals. In the last three years, they’ve seen a large upsurge in drug resistant infections. Patients that have to be isolated. Quarantine procedures. That kind of stuff.

So… yeah, drug resistant bacteria is real. Frighteningly so.