on a recent trip with my daughter we fished the S Holston near Bristol. some where I must have put a fly in my mouth or held a tippit while changing a fly. about a wk passed and I developed chills watery stools bloating and aches. after 4 days of this I saw a Dr who asked if I had traveld lately and I told of the fishing trip.the diagnosis was giardia which is a parasite which is found in some waters esp those holding beavers muscrats or where livestock graze. length of infection is 1/2 wks with treatment. dont put anything in your mouth that has been exposed to the stream. the infection gets in the gi tract and the result is not pleasant.
Thank you for posting this Bill.
I was unaware and will take precautions in the future.
I fish the SoHo every chance I get and this is sage advice!
Very good reminder
Glad your OK now!
Thank you!
Very common thing out in western streams. I have a friend who got it from dipping a bandana in the river and wrapping it around his head. Some of the water dripped down into his mouth… Ugh for him.
Thanks so much for posting this information. Glad you are doing better.
This would include putting tippet in your mouth to lubricate the knot.
One of the questions the doc asked after a trip and gi problems.
Sometimes referred to as Beaver Fever. A friend of mine got it some years ago while moose hunting in British Columbia. It’s nasty stuff for sure.
Had that happen once, and it hit me on the flight home - ugh!
Regards,
Scott
I teach backpacking and outdoor ethics so this is a valuable lesson. Obivious reminder to never drink from streams or springs on the surface. Carry your water or use a filter capable of removing giradia. (And treat for viruses.)
I’ve always known not to drink from streams, but never imagined such a small amount could cause it.
This didn’t go last time so here it is again. I have been there about 25 or so years ago. Washed my hands after releasing a fish, wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and was lucky enough to have a doctor who recognized what it was immediately, he had also had it. It is NOT fun and is something for everyone to be aware of. I am looking at getting a newer item on the market, it is basically a straw that you carry in a pocket but it filters out all the bad stuff. I usually pack water with me but that can be a bit of weight when planning to be gone from the vehicle most of the day.
what is the product and where is it available. I often carry a bottle of water in vest but believe infection came from wetting tippet or changing the fly.
It is called the Frontier water filter straw and is sold at Cabelas for $12.99. Haven’t got one yet but will before this hunting season.
There again, my infection came from washing my hands and just touching my mouth.
Most, if not all, health hazards should be avoided.
I apparently don’t get it. My wife does when we visit her sis in Texas and drink well water, but I don’t. That doesn’t mean I drink from streams or lakes tho.
I drink from a few springs in the mountains and don’t hesitate at the wells around the area. The water is filtered naturally thru the earth formations in most of them.
The artesian wells around here are very good water even though they are a little sulfer tasting. The Giardia enzym is passed to different water sources by animals that drink and then vacate their body fliuds in or near other water. It doesn’t effect the animals as it does most humans. I do know a couple of people that is has no effect on, yes I am jealous of them. That said, greenlantern, you may not be as sensative to a change in water as she is. I know a lot of people that cannot handle the change in water from town to town, my wife and I don’t have that problem thank goodness.
I had it once as a teenager, and it is highly unpleasant. I also have not heard of contracting it from simply wetting a tippet in your mouth or other super-small exposures. Were you standing at the entrance to a beaver den or something when you did it? Any way, it is pretty much horrible. Hope you get over it soon.
If you get a Giardina infestation, it can be easily treated with either garlic Capsules, or by ingesting whole garlic cloves, either by eating them, or as a tea. Garlic is one of the most powerful intestinal anti-parasitics there is, surpassing most commercial remedies.
For severe infections, the action of garlic can be enhanced by adding Goldenseal.
If you suspect you may have been exposed, taking garlic before symptoms appear will kill the Giardina before it can do anything to you. I take garlic capsules with me, and use them anytime I think I may have to drink questionable water. Another trick to purify water is to take a spoonful of Potentialized Silver Solution before drinking water of uncertain quality. A 16x Potentialized Silver Solution is a very powerful homeopathic anti-parasitc. It is available at Health Food Stores under the name Silva Solution.
Be careful with the silver, argyria is a real potential hazard from drinking to much!
There have only been a few cases of argyria that did not involve industrial exposure to silver dust. The very rare cases of agyria linked to the use of Colloidal Silver were due to massive and ridiculous overdoses for extended periods of time, such as drinking several gallons per week for several years. There is not enough silver in Colloidal Silver solutions to cause any adverse effects under normal use. In Homeopathic Medicine, less is more. The more dilute a solution is, the more effective it is. A 16X solution only has trace amounts of the active ingredient in it, approaching the Avogadro threshold.
All cases of argyria that were caused by the use of Colloidal Silver were people that were making it themselves at home, with no training, and no idea of the concentration. These ‘kits’ for sale online are dangerous because there is no way to control or test the potency, and this would require a very good understanding of both chemistry, and physics. Certainly more than the average layperson would possess.
You don’t take Colloidal Silver all the time. Only when you need it, and then only a tablespoon at a time. Anything more than that is just wasting it for nothing.