Man Fighting For His Life After Getting Infected With Flesh-Eating Bacteria On Family Kayaking Trip

Jul 24, 2019 by apost team

Summer is the time when we pack up the whole family and head to the nearest lake or river for some fun in the sun. However, before you jump into the water on your next summer excursion, take a moment to consider what happened to Ricky Rutherford.

Rutherford, 41, was enjoying kayaking with his wife and children at Second Creek in Waterloo, Alabama. He never expected that an innocent day of family fun would cause his whole world to come crashing down. Two days after the kayaking trip, Rutherford began to experience a whole host of bizarre medical symptoms. His whole body ached, his limbs were cramping and his temperature reached a startling 103 degrees. Bruise-like wounds began appearing all over his legs, causing redness, swelling, and pain.

Rutherford was initially reluctant to seek medical help, presuming the symptoms to be the result of his demanding warehouse job. But after his wife persuaded him, Rutherford sought medical treatment. Doctors presumed it was a mild case of cellulitis, treated him with antibiotics and sent him home.

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Sadly, his condition only deteriorated and days later he was back in the hospital. After extensive tests, doctors determined that he contracted a flesh-eating bacteria from the river. At present time, Rutherford has undergone multiple surgeries and is currently hospitalized in serious condition.

"Please, for the love of God stay out of the [river]!" Cassey Rutherford wrote in a social media post updating her friends and family on her husband's condition. The scientific term for Rutherford's condition is necrotizing fasciitis. Cases have been reported all along the southeastern United States this summer and one such case tragically claimed the life of a Californian father of two. Cassey Rutherford keeps posting updates on her Facebook and luckily Ricky Rutherford is on his way to recovery. 

While many public officials are reluctant to tell people to avoid rivers and lakes due to the concern that they'll create mass panic, Cassey Rutherford is blunt when it comes to her advice to others who might be thinking about taking a dip.

“I don’t want anyone else to go through this," Rutherford wrote on Facebook. "On Saturday, I [had] to think about burying the love of my life. No one should ever have to go through that. Do not get in that water! It’s not safe. Don’t [jeopardize] your [family's safety and health] for a day of fun."

It's too soon to declare whether or not all rivers and lakes in the area are off-limits. However, we think it's smart to take Cassey's advice, at least for the time being. Spread this story far and wide to ensure that other people don't end up in a similar nightmare to the one currently befalling the Rutherford family.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!