Risks of infection from handling a filter?

[Maroonostrich]

Ooops.

I was cleaning the tank at work this morning, took some water out of tank into a bucket, put filter in tank water and began to take it to bits.

Yesterday I rode a horse that kept yanking it's head down and tearing the reins through my fingers, so I have two fresh blisters on my ring fingers.

As the water went brown I remembered this and dropped the filter! I washed my hands and ran for help! A kind gentleman came and cleaned and replaced all the bits of the filter for me.

As I imagine a mature filter is a hive of bacteria, have I exposed myself to potential problems and should I worry?! Anything I ought to look out for?

Thanks everyone!

 

[annka5]

IMO, very unlikely. The bacteria in your filter are unlikely to be the same as disease-causing ones in humans. I think washing your hands and not carrying on was sensible though!
I'd just keep an eye on the cuts/sores for signs of any problems. and if you do get ill enough to see a doctor then be sure to tell him about it.
Otherwise, I think you shouldn't worry too much.

 

[Maroonostrich]

IMO, very unlikely. The bacteria in your filter are unlikely to be the same as disease-causing ones in humans. I think washing your hands and not carrying on was sensible though!
I'd just keep an eye on the cuts/sores for signs of any problems. and if you do get ill enough to see a doctor then be sure to tell him about it.
Otherwise, I think you shouldn't worry too much.

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Thank you, I feel calmer now!

 

[ADelphi]

I suggest covering cuts with vaseline before putting your hands in any fish tank. Please read this ---> http/www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/...ature/index.php

As for the horse with the terrible manners (it sounds like a naughty childs pony that could do with using grass reins), i suggest wearing leather riding gloves, maybe you were holding it to tight, some get a bit uptight then and pull.

 

[Maroonostrich]

Eeek! That's REALLY SCARY! Thanks for posting that. I'm fine currently but I'll be more careful in future...

As for horsey, he's a good boy really- the problem is that he sort of gets an itchy nose with the dust and sunshine on a hot day and often wants to rub his nose on his leg, so if you stop for a moment in your lesson he goes for it! I'm not encouraged to drop the rein each time as obviously once you do give them a long rein they think 'Ahh lesson over, time to SLOB out!!' My hands are getting used to reins again after a two year gap so they are a bit sensitive and I'm trying to break them in cos I tend to prefer riding gloveless or I get horrid sweaty palms.. still it's winter soon enough and they'll be a necessity.