Blog note. Jesus indicated that ‘fearful
sights’ (various natural disasters) would occur leading up to the time known as
the Tribulation and Great Tribulation (a combined seven year period of great
destruction on earth). Although these types of things have occurred in the past
for centuries and thousands of years, they could be identified as the ‘season
of the times’ due to the ferociousness of these events. They would be occurring
in greater intensity, severity, frequency, size, duration, scope … just like
the pains that a woman experiences in labor the farther along she is in the
labor process. We are in the ‘season of the times’ that comes just before the
seven (7) year Tribulation/Great Tribulation period
… And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and
famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be
from heaven. (Luke 21:11).
… And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and
in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea
and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)
… Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after
those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be
shaken; (Luke 21:26)
… This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come. (2 Timothy 3:1)
Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for
as the age of grace comes to a close. These verses are several of many such
prophecies from throughout the Bible. 2017 was the worst year in recorded
history for the intensity, frequency, severity, duration and occurrence of a
large number of severe natural disasters worldwide. Earthquakes, volcanoes,
hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, torrential flooding, unprecedented wildfires in
unusual places, devastating droughts, excessive/scorching heat setting records
everywhere, record snowfalls in Europe and Russia. Snow in the Arabia. This
list can go on. Most studied Eschatologists believe these ‘fearful sights’ and
massive natural disasters are all part of the ‘CONVERGENCE’ of signs that this
Biblical and prophetic age is closing. Most people who study prophecy are
familiar with the routine reference(s) made that these things will be like
a woman having labor pains, growing in intensity, frequency, size and duration.
‘Flesh-eating’ bacteria: Here’s how you can avoid contracting necrotizing fasciitis
Gabriela Szymanowska. USA TODAY•July 21, 2019
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Several cases of flesh-eating bacteria, otherwise known as necrotizing fasciitis, have put people in hospitals across the United States and killed some.
A Memphis, Tennessee, man died last week after contracting the flesh-eating bacteria, vibrio vulnificus, while on vacation in Destin, Florida.
So, just how common is this, and should you be worried about swimming in oceans, rivers or lakes?
Are flesh-eating bacteria on the rise?
Mark Rasnake, an infectious disease physician at the University of Tennessee, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not issued any reports confirming a rise in cases of flesh-eating bacteria this year.
“I sort of think it’s just one of those things that’s maybe amplified by social media,” Rasnake said.
Necrotizing fasciitis is the death of the deep tissue, and multiple types of bacteria can become “flesh-eating,” including group A Streptococcus, which causes sore throats but is not associated with water, according to Rasnake.
The CDC tracks necrotizing fasciitis in the U.S. caused by Group A Strep. Its website reports that since 2010, there have been approximately 700 to 1,200 cases of necrotizing fasciitis annually in the country, which ” is likely an underestimate.”
About one in three people die from the infection, according to the CDC.
Twenty to 30 types of bacteria can be a source, according to Rasnake.
The bacteria associated with saltwater and from eating raw oysters is Vibrio vulnificus, while the bacteria found in freshwater sources like the Tennessee River is Aeromonas.
Vibrio vulnificus and Aeromonas are naturally occurring in warmer waters. Rasnake said July and August are the months when the chance of contracting the bacteria goes up as the bacteria and the number of people enjoying the water increase.
In Virginia, health officials are issuing warnings about Vibrio parahaemolyticus, also a flesh-eating bacteria.
So far this year, nine have contracted the infection in the region and one person has died. According to the Virginia Department of Health, Vibrio parahaemolyticus is the most commonly reported type of Vibrio infection in that state. The number of cases tends to increase between April and October due to warmer seawater temperatures.
How to avoid it, know its symptoms
While rare, some people are more susceptible than others to getting necrotizing fasciitis, according to Rasnake. Individuals with other illnesses and health problems that can lower the body’s ability to fight infections like diabetes, kidney disease, scarring of the liver and cancer, are more likely to contract it.
“I don’t think people need to be afraid of the lakes or rivers or oceans, as long as they are otherwise healthy and don’t have open wounds, I don’t think there’s any particular risk to most people,” Rasnake said.
If someone has an open wound, he or she should avoid going in the water. However, if you happen to scratch your leg on a broken shell while in the water, for example, look for certain symptoms to know if you possibly have contracted bacteria.
Early symptoms, according to the CDC, are red or swollen areas on the skin that spread, fever and severe pain that isn’t just in the area of the wound. If these symptoms are present, it is advised to go to the hospital.
Other symptoms include ulcers, blisters or black spots, pus or oozing from the wound, dizziness, fatigue and diarrhea or nausea.
In the worst-case scenarios, Rasnake said patients can lose entire limbs or die if the bacteria isn’t caught early enough. If diagnosed early, patients can receive antibiotics, although it can still be difficult to treat.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation monitors bacteria levels in hundreds of locations across Tennessee and uses E. coli as an indicator for the presence of bacteria, following the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines for which contaminants are monitored routinely.
Deputy Communications Director of TDEC Kim Schofiniski said the public should follow all posted bacteriological and fish consumption advisories to avoid contracting any bacteria.
Is flesh-eating bacteria contagious?
Most cases of necrotizing fasciitis occur randomly, according to the CDC’s website.
It is very rare for someone to spread the infection to other people.
“For this reason, doctors usually do not give preventive antibiotics to close contacts of someone with necrotizing fasciitis,” according to the CDC.
Moving North as the climate warms
Since the bacteria live in warmer waters and there has been an increase in ocean temperatures, Rasnake said he expects the bacteria to be found further North.
“As ocean temperatures warm in places where that bacteria did not live before, they start to multiply … you can certainly start to see more cases in parts of the country that you hadn’t seen necessarily seen before, like the northeastern beaches,” Rasnake said.
Combined with an aging population that is living longer and more people taking immunosuppressive medications, the number of cases could increase, he said.
Pestilence
Disease
Death
Virus
Bacteria
Superbugs
Contagion
Epidemic
Pandemic
Spreading from one person to another
Perilous times have come
Pestilence spreading around the world
Pestilence in diverse places
Disease spreading around the world
Disease in diverse places
Disease increasing in frequency
Disease increasing in size
Disease increasing in strength
Disease increasing in duration
Increasing like the pains of a woman in labor