is there anything unsafe about letting my kid jump/play in puddles?

[Anonymous]

I don't think you are crazy, op. Flesh-eating bacteria has been in the news. I weep for that poor girl. I remember a girl died last year from a brain-eating amoeba contracted from lake water. But, I don't think you can do anything about it. Keep on splashing!

[Anonymous]

THIS DAMN SHOW has caused this phenomenon

[Anonymous]

The dinosaurs stomped in mud puddles and look what happened to them! STAY FAR AWAY, OP!!!

[Anonymous]

Yes, there could be an alligator lurking in the puddle! Waiting for dinner.

[Anonymous]

Cut my toe wide open walking in the dirty James River and completely lived to tell the tale

[Anonymous]

Flesh eating bacteria has to have an entry into a cut and it usually takes advantage of a weakened immune system. It's a secondary infection. Just observe good hygiene and teach your children about it.

It's much more likely that your kids will pick up little things on the playground -- worry about lice, impetigo, scabies, stuff like that. Of course those are "normal" and not the result necessarily of bad hygiene.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Geez, you women are harsh, and some of your are downright mean. "Wrought with anxiety?" My post contained nothing of the sort. "Insane to live with?" And you weep for my children? C'mon, seriously? WTF. God. My DH once said that the good women out there aren't wasting time on DCUM, and the responses here (with the exception of the first - thank you, PP, for not insulting me) confirm that he is probably right.

This was a serious question. My kid jumps in puddles all the time, my kid is allowed to be a kid, etc. etc. WTF. This was just a fleeting thing that I wondered about, especially after recently reading about that girl who is dying from a flesh-eating bacteria that she contracted from a cut on her leg.

"good women?"

as in Madonna/whore?

[Anonymous]

I don't think it was an irrational question. After the incidents in Virginia last year and now this poor girl, I've been thinking about what I'll do when my infant DS is old enough to want to go to the lake with his cousins, etc.

[Anonymous]

Can someone provide a link to the story that is being referenced?

[Anonymous]

Really?? Really??? Ohmigod.

[Anonymous]

OP is doing way better than my DIL, who would tell you you're all negligent not to heed dangers of puddle-jumping.

[Anonymous]

leptospirosis is a bacterial killer found in shallow pools of water

[Anonymous]

OP:

Despite the venom, your question is actually reasonable. Your concern is valid given the incidents in Va. last year and the student who is battling the flesh eating bacteria. Also, everyone should know that shallow standing water attracts mosquitoes and they are a prime carrier of a lot of different things.

That being said and as you can see, DCUM is not the right place to ask that question. Both CDC and the Miami Children's Hospital have pages on their websites that talk about precautions to take regarding to standing water. Some of it may be helpful. Let your kid be a kid, but be vigilant.

http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/flood/standing.html

http://www.mch.com/page/EN/2414/Health-Promotion-and-Education/Standing-Water-Precautions.aspx

http://www.mamashealth.com/environmentalhealth/standingwater.asp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They'll be fine!

I actually was eying the sandbox at the playground today. It resembled mini beach. So many kids wanted to play there with the trucks, but not one caregiver said yes. I'm sure there is a chance of bacteria, but I'm guessing chances are slim that it will be something dangerous (especially if they are wearing clothing and you wash hands later.

Somedays, I don't let my kids play in the sandbox at the playground because I don't want sand pouring out of their pockets when we leave, especially if I have just cleaned my car or if we have somewhere else to go after the playground. It has nothing to do with bacteria. It has everything to do with dirt. So those "caregivers" may just not feel like cleaning that day.

Just saying. Not everyone thinks "OMG - sandbox=flesh eating bacteria!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:leptospirosis is a bacterial killer found in shallow pools of water

Is this a joke??? I work in that field. I am in microbiology/parasitology. Unless you are a dog drinking tons of shallow dirty water it is so frickin EXTREMELY rare in this country to have any effects in this country. Your chances of hitting the jackpot are much greater.