Have I infected myself with dodgy fishwater?

Before people call troll, this is 100% serious as I am trying to figure out exactly what's causing my prolonged health issues. At the moment, I could be simply suffering from a flare up of GERD or I might be about to develop a serious condition or some other weird parasitism.

Okay, so, around 1.5-2 weeks ago now, I was doing normal maintenance on my 15 gallon tank when by total accident I splashed a ton of water on my face. It was in my eyes, my nose and probably my mouth as well. I had gotten fishwater on my face before so 'no big deal' I thought.

After that day, I started getting headaches a lot but this is usual for me so again, 'no big deal' I thought.

Then, not the Friday just gone but the Friday before, I woke up with high fatigue, a fever and chest tightness, so I thought, 'this isn't good, I have COVID-19. But as long as I don't pass it to anyone else, I'm in very little danger'. It got worse throughout the day, culminating at the early hours of that Saturday morning with nausea, high fever and the weirdest headache I have ever had in my life. You know when you feel like you're going to be sick and you have that feeling in your stomach? It felt like that but in my head. Not to mention, I was having mental effects as well, like dizziness and confusion; it was about 11:30 and I could've sworn it was still daylight until I looked outside and realised it was pitch-black night. However, the high fever was probably doing that.

After that though, it started getting better and the worst thing I was experiencing was a light fever and a bit of chest tightness/shortness of breath every now and again.

By around Monday or Tuesday, the only problems I were having were frequent headaches and acid reflux, which are both normal for me, especially after something like a respiratory infection. 'No big deal', I thought.

Then, on Thursday, I started noticing symptoms of a UTI as well as feeling generally ill. It started getting better again on Friday but then got worse again in the early hours of this morning and even worse today; now, as well as UTI symptoms, I have abdominal pain as well.

I thought that perhaps one scenario is that I did have COVID-19, but it's lowered my immune system, allowing other opportunists that wouldn't usually get the chance to start causing their own infections.

But then, I remembered the fishwater incident. Fishwater is far from sterile and contains a lot of less-than-friendly bacteria and other organisms. Serious question here, is it possible that I've given myself some sort of unusual bacteria or parasite that is now causing prolonged issues?

I am aware that there will be throwaway 'ask your GP' answers, but because of the situation with COVID-19 at the moment, I want to save that for if it becomes more serious, like if I develop symptoms of a kidney infection.

Thanks for all and any answers

 

Hmm. Weird. I wouldn't think the water could've caused all that. Get well soon!

 

'Fishwater is far from sterile and contains a lot of less-than-friendly bacteria and other organisms." Such as ?

Bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganism are everywhere around us. Normally our immunesystem can cope with all but now and then it won't or has to fight against one or the other. What I mean is the risk that the tank water infected you is no different than in normal life doing the things you do. You can have caught it anywhere.

Also 99,9 of fishdiseases aren't a risk for humans.

Hoping you'll feel better soon.

 

Canacullus drinking tank water huh? Jk. I don't know what would've caused it.. I think its possible but not likely. Hope you will recover!

 

I'm no expert, but if we swim in lakes, rivers, ponds, etc. with no harm, then I would think it's completely ironic that your sickness happened right after.

 

'Fishwater is far from sterile and contains a lot of less-than-friendly bacteria and other organisms." Such as ?

You know I'm not well versed on this subject but I found this a while ago. Interesting and simple enough for me. to understand. I think the chances of contracting something are pretty slim though
Zoonoses Associated with Fish | Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee | Washington State University

Cryoraptor it doesn't sound like you ingested enough to have any ill effect. Pretty sure all of us have been spattered bytank water at one point or another,

In my opinion, with all that is going on 'ask your GP' is not a throw away answer and get tested for covid 19 if your can.

I hope you feel better soon!

 

I agree. It is highly unlikely the tank water was the cause of what is happening. I can't count the times I've gotten a mouth full of tank water when starting my siphon with no ill effects. I really think the best answer we can give you is talk to your doctor if possible.

Please don't let this cause you to fear your fish tank. I do hope you get to feeling better soon.

 

Firstly, thank you for so many serious replies. I was worried that people would just call me a troll.

Secondly, thanks for you input. I am now content that I have not accidentally contracted a strange parasite or bacterium from the water and now in need of serious medical intervention to stop worse consequences.

About the amount of water, I'm not talking a few drops, I mean about a litre of water in total, with about an eighth of it getting onto my face.

Having said that, after reading Lucy's link, there doesn't seem to be much in there that can cause respiratory and UT infections. Fish TB is possible but I have a good immune system so I'd be surprised about that. I know that most UT infections are caused by Escherichia but they live literally everywhere including your own gut, so a few extra won't hurt anyone.

I think the most probable explanation is that I've contracted COVID-19, successfully eliminated it but at the cost of my immune system being lowered which has allowed old chronic conditions like GERD to come back and opportunistic bacteria living in my gut and/or bladder to get slightly out of hand.

Sadly Lucy, I live in the UK and here you can't get tested unless you in a severe enough condition to be admitted to hospital. Besides, at this point I'm not suffering from COVID-19 symptoms anymore so I wouldn't even test positive in all likelihood. Right now, a bacterial UTI is most likely the acute issue.

I will keep resting and drinking plenty of fluids to give it time to clear up on it's own, and if it's still not going away in a few days time then I may look into seeking professional medical aid as I am aware that untreated persistent UTIs can become more serious kidney infections.

Thank you all for the warm wishes

 

Firstly, thank you for so many serious replies. I was worried that people would just call me a troll.

Secondly, thanks for you input. I am now content that I have not accidentally contracted a strange parasite or bacterium from the water and now in need of serious medical intervention to stop worse consequences.

About the amount of water, I'm not talking a few drops, I mean about a litre of water in total, with about an eighth of it getting onto my face.

Having said that, after reading Lucy's link, there doesn't seem to be much in there that can cause respiratory and UT infections. Fish TB is possible but I have a good immune system so I'd be surprised about that. I know that most UT infections are caused by Escherichia but they live literally everywhere including your own gut, so a few extra won't hurt anyone.

I think the most probable explanation is that I've contracted COVID-19, successfully eliminated it but at the cost of my immune system being lowered which has allowed old chronic conditions like GERD to come back and opportunistic bacteria living in my gut and/or bladder to get slightly out of hand.

Sadly Lucy, I live in the UK and here you can't get tested unless you in a severe enough condition to be admitted to hospital. Besides, at this point I'm not suffering from COVID-19 symptoms anymore so I wouldn't even test positive in all likelihood. Right now, a bacterial UTI is most likely the acute issue.

I will keep resting and drinking plenty of fluids to give it time to clear up on it's own, and if it's still not going away in a few days time then I may look into seeking professional medical aid as I am aware that untreated persistent UTIs can become more serious kidney infections.

Thank you all for the warm wishes

I'm not sure if you have anything equivalent to this in the UK, but here in BC, Canada, we have a medical app where you can make a virtual doctor's appointment absolutely free, maybe that would be something to look into? I know how you feel with not wanting to see a doctor with covid unless it's dire.
I had a tick bite and I was freaking out about it too thinking I'd get Lyme. Being able to speak to a doctor and just share my fears really helped me calm down, and on the slight chance something was wrong (Lyme isn't very prevalent in ticks in my area, but still), I was able to check with the doctor just to make sure it was all good.

You're probably okay though!! Hugs

 

maybe a bit Off topic but...

If someone knows it better, what are diseases you can get from your tank ?
So far I heard that you can get tuberculosis and Mycobacterium marinum. Is there anything else ?

@OP, hope you get better soon

 

Nothing to worry about. I've been into the hobby over three decades, and on fish forums the last six years. I've never contracted any illness from my tanks. No other hobbyist I know has ever contracted anything. Although these types of threads occassionally pop up I've never read where a human sickness ever resulted from aquarium contact.
On a side note, my back has become quite sore hauling five gallon buckets of water to & from my tanks. Lol.

 

I'm not sure if you have anything equivalent to this in the UK, but here in BC, Canada, we have a medical app where you can make a virtual doctor's appointment absolutely free, maybe that would be something to look into? I know how you feel with not wanting to see a doctor with covid unless it's dire.
I had a tick bite and I was freaking out about it too thinking I'd get Lyme. Being able to speak to a doctor and just share my fears really helped me calm down, and on the slight chance something was wrong (Lyme isn't very prevalent in ticks in my area, but still), I was able to check with the doctor just to make sure it was all good.

You're probably okay though!! Hugs

We do have virtual doctors appointments here; my mum had a stye that was growing rapidly and of course it couldn't wait several more months to be drained, so she used virtual doctors appointments.
I just don't think it's bad enough that I need to see a GP about it. I guess I feel better today; the symptoms of the UTI have gone down and I mostly just feel achy, tired and a bit nauseous now. Thanks for the suggestion though

maybe a bit Off topic but...

If someone knows it better, what are diseases you can get from your tank ?
So far I heard that you can get tuberculosis and Mycobacterium marinum. Is there anything else ?

@OP, hope you get better soon

Well, you can pick up various Mycobacterium species, but none of them can cause much worse than a painful cyst on your skin unless you're immunocompromised. Real tuberculosis doesn't live in water from my knowledge, and most people in the developed world are vaccinated anyway.

Nothing to worry about. I've been into the hobby over three decades, and on fish forums the last six years. I've never contracted any illness from my tanks. No other hobbyist I know has ever contracted anything. Although these types of threads occassionally pop up I've never read where a human sickness ever resulted from aquarium contact.
On a side note, my back has become quite sore hauling five gallon buckets of water to & from my tanks. Lol.

Ok, that's good to know. I feel a bit better today anyway so I'm hoping this is the beginning of the end.

Yeah, I can relate to back pain from carrying buckets of water. It's taking years off my back's life

Thanks again everyone

 

I am happy to hear that you are feeling better today. I hope we have helped to put your mind to rest about the tank water incident. On top of all else going on right now this extra stress can affect both our bodies and our minds.

Much like A201 I have been in this hobby for many years and like I said earlier I have gotten lots of tank water in my mouth and have never experienced any ill effects from any of it.

 

Best thing you did was reach out! Glad you got reassurances and that you are feeling better. These Covid days are stressful enough without having to worry about saving issues to see the doctor about. Keep being well.

 

Hello everyone, just thought I should give you all an update:

So, over the weekend and this week, the UTI symptoms have eased and are now very mild. However, a new concern is arising that I forgot to mention: along with the UTI symptoms, I also had disturbed and inconsistent bowel movements. This aspect has continued and has actually got worse today. While I have been to the toilet today, I still feel constipated and it is causing mild abdominal pains.

However, how related it is to the actual UTI and previous respiratory condition, I'm not sure, because I've had similar things before; when I was 12, I had a bout of gastroenteritis that apart from the UTI symptoms was very similar. While that itself did go away, my bowel movements didn't recover and around 6 weeks later it hit a head where I was unable to go to the toilet for 6 days. Eventually though I did go and after that, any pains and problems I was having went away within a couple of days. Another occasion was when I was 13; I had fallen backwards and accidentally ingested a small bolt. The bolt itself was probably not made out of any toxic parts or anything that could react with my stomach acid to produce toxic compounds but I still suffered abdominal pain and disturbed bowel movements for over 2 weeks afterwards. It was only when I realised there was no way it was still affecting me that things started to improve.

The only thing I can connect between those 2 events and what's currently happening is that I've been under high levels of acute stress in all 3. I have a family history of bowel problems and IBS so it's probably a case of the initial COVID-19 suspect illness leading onto the development of a UTI, and both events combined with the stress of everything going on have led to a resurgence of underlying bowel problems. I've looked for any possible insect bites that might have contaminated me with a bunch of pathogens, but there's nothing apart from the usual mosquito bites, and in the UK, no mosquitoes carry diseases, so a theory of multiple arboviruses/insect-borne bacteria infection can be safely ruled out.

Really, I am aware that I should contact a doctor at this stage, but I don't know how useful that is as there's not a lot a doctor could do for me. It's something I'll just have to live with for the coming weeks or months, depending on how long it lasts.