Dangerous Bacteria In Local Waterways

By The Continuous News Desk

Published: June 22, 2008

A 13-year-old Kingsport boy cut his knee while playing in Reedy Creek in Kingsport.

He had to have stitches, but his small cut became a huge ordeal that possibly could have cost him his life.

Trevor Hanog’s mom says it started with “boys just being boys.”

A couple of weeks ago, Trevor and his friend were playing when Trevor fell and cut himself.

The Hanogs knew they would have to make a trip to the emergency room for stitches, but stitches didn’t fix everything.

Bacteria from the creek got into Trevor’s wound and it became infected overnight—even though hospital staff had given him oral anti-biotics.

When he went back to the doctor the next day, they realized the bacteria was eating some of Trevor’s tissue.

Trevor ended up in the hospital for nine days and had three surgeries to cut out the infection and heal the leg.

Trevor and his mom still can’t believe this happened because of a small cut.

Doctors say bacteria is common in waterways, but you don’t have to keep your kids out of the water—just make them wear shoes. 

They also recommend all your child’s Tetanus shots are up-to-date and if you ever aren’t sure if a cut is becoming infected, see your doctor.

In Trevor’s case, doctors say had he waited to get medical attention, he could have possibly lost his leg or even his life.