The simple decision to buy fish and eat it for dinner has changed a California woman's life, and almost killed her. Laura Barajas, 40, bought tilapia in July at a local market in San Jose. She cooked and ate the fish, but then later became sick. According to a GoFundMe page started by her partner's friend and coworker, Barajas found out that she was dealing with a Vibrio vulnificus bacterial infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vibrio vulnificus infections can be life-threatening and 1 in 5 of the people who get it die, sometimes shortly after getting sick.
Those who are infected with the bacteria might need limb amputations, according to the CDC, and that is exactly what happened to Barajas. According to the GoFundMe page created by her partner's friend, Anna Messina, Barajas had all four limbs removed on September 13. "Laura has been in the hospital for over a month, fighting for her life, she is now a quadruple amputee," Messina wrote.
Messina told local news outlet KRON4 that Barajas almost died because of the infection. “They put her into a medically induced coma. Her fingers were black, her feet were black her bottom lip was black. She had complete sepsis and her kidneys were failing," Messina said. According to Messina's GoFundMe page, Barajas has spent over a month in the hospital battling the infection.
More from LittleThings: Arizona Man Finds 20 Rattlesnakes Inside His Garage Including One That Is Pregnant
Barajas has a 6-year-old son. Barajas' partner, Jose Valdez, has been taking care of Barajas and her son, taking time off of work to provide support as they navigate these challenges. "What has happened to them could happen to any of us," Messina wrote in her post.
Though this type of bacterial infection seems to be quite rare, it is believed to be on the rise in the US due to climate change and higher sea temperatures. On September 1, 2023, the CDC issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory for Vibrio vulnificus infections. According to the alert, health care professionals should be aware of the risk of Vibrio vulnificus wound infections, especially near the Gulf of Mexico or East Coast, and when water temperatures are unusually high.
In some cases, people get Vibrio vulnificus infections from eating raw or undercooked seafood, but it's also possible to get the infection when an open wound "comes into contact with raw or undercooked seafood, its juices, or its drippings or with saltwater or brackish water," according to the CDC.
States including Florida and North Carolina have also issued alerts or released reminders about the infection. "Vibrio vulnificus infections are rare. Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacteria in warm, brackish seawater. Water and wounds do not mix. Do not enter the water if you have fresh cuts or scrapes," a statement from the Florida Department of Health says.
Messina told KRON4 that Barajas and her family are waiting to find out exactly what happened to Barajas and caused her to get sick. Messina posted an update on the GoFundMe page on Monday, September 18, writing, "Laura is healing well and looking forward to moving out of the ICU into another room at the hospital."
Messina encouraged people to appreciate what they have since life can change so suddenly, as it did for Barajas and her family. "The mounting hospital bills are overwhelming, and Laura's physical condition will necessitate significant changes to their lives as they adapt to her new circumstances," she wrote on GoFundMe.
Some signs of Vibrio vulnificus infection, according to the CDC, include diarrhea, nausea, fever and chills, and for wound infections, "fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration, and discharge (leaking fluids)." Though these types of infections are rare, they're serious and can get worse very quickly.
