Writing a paper: Are there any health risks associated with being around decomposing human remains?

[overturfa]

I know it's a wierd question, but I'm not having a whole lot of luck searching the internet. I'm hoping a med-student or someone will read this post and answer my question, or at least tell me where I can find the answer.

Thanks.

 

[tcsenter]

I have this persistant horrid skin rash, which I presume is associated with having several bodies decomposing under my bed. I cannot seem to get the smell of rotting flesh out of my clothes and respiratory tract, either. I don't know if that answers your question? :Q

 

[overturfa]

I actually meant this as a serious post, but thanks.

 

[tk149]

1. I just really really hope that you are actually writing a paper on this topic, and are not asking for any other reasons. 🙂

2. I would think that you would have to worry about the health risks posed by being around any kind of rotting meat (e.g. bacteria, bugs carrying diseases). Also, you'd probably have to worry if a disease (like ebolla) killed the poor guy. But I'm no expert.

 

[Moonbeam]

All you need in your name is an L and it would be an anagram of 'of vulture'. You might ask one.

 

[StattlichPassat]

Originally posted by: LOBisBack
Are there any health risks associated with being around decomposing human remains?

Yep, a wEIRD question.

 

[Moonbeam]

I don't think it's gonna be too good for your nose.

 

[Amused]

Press release from the Red Cross

Decomposing bodies are not a public health threat in indian earthquake
01 february 2001

"We are concerned that unncessary alarm is being created among the disaster-affected population by reports that decomposing bodies contribute to the spread of disease. This is not true," said Dr. Hakan Sandbladh, emergency health co-ordinator of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

"Normal healthy people killed in an earthquake who do not have communicable diseases do not pose any threat to public health. We have not seen any disease outbreaks as a result of this factor in recent earthquakes such as El Salvador or Turkey.

"It's a serious misconception even among aid personnel. It's true that it can be very disturbing especially for survivors, and psychologically difficult, but in and of itself, this is not a public health threat," said Dr. Sandbladh.

He also advised donors not to repeat the mistakes of previous earthquake disasters by sending quantities of unecessary medical supplies and equipment. The International Federation has already turned down offers of cargo planes loaded with intravenous fluids as India is a major producer of this item and there are no local shortages. Dialysis machines are also not required.

"Poor quality water is of much greater concern and we are now augmenting the local supply with significant quantities of good quality drinking water. We are working closely with the Indian Red Cross and the local authorities to see if we can do more to help improve the local water supply," said Dr. Sandbladh.

 

[overturfa]

OK, tk's post got me thinking about the way I presented this post. Yes I'm seriously writing a paper (it's for a critical thinking class), and no tk, it's not like there's a dead body in my closet or anything. It a paper on Illegal entrants from Mexico dying of injury and dehydration while crossing US deserts.

For this paper I have to identify a problem and the causes and effects of it and propose a solution using the 9 step decision-making process. I thought for one of the effects I would include health risks posed by decomposing human remains, but I'm having trouble finding refrences to qualify and quantify that particular effect even though I know it is a valid one.

So now you know why I'm asking.... I'm basically soliciting help for my homework! 😉

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: overturfa
OK, tk's post got me thinking about the way I presented this post. Yes I'm seriously writing a paper (it's for a critical thinking class), and no tk, it's not like there's a dead body in my closet or anything. It a paper on Illegal entrants from Mexico dying of injury and dehydration while crossing US deserts.

For this paper I have to identify a problem and the causes and effects of it and propose a solution using the 9 step decision-making process. I thought for one of the effects I would include health risks posed by decomposing human remains, but I'm having trouble finding refrences to qualify and quantify that particular effect even though I know it is a valid one.

So now you know why I'm asking.... I'm basically soliciting help for my homework! 😉

I was going to say something really rude about using dead Mexicans as an energy source, but that'll probably piss someone off. 😀

But seriously, how would decomposing bodies be a problem? It's not like the desert is littered with them. For a problem/solution, how about answering "What can we do to make them STOP COMING OVER HERE?!?!"

 

[overturfa]

Unfortunately there's no good answer to that problem. Basically the border patrol does not have enough assets to stop migration. Unless you and I and the rest of us taxpayers are willing to fork over a substiatial ammout of our paychecks, the border patrol will remain in this situation. Also, as long as there is something to gain, illegals are going to continue to cross and if someone is determined enough, they will find a way. I'm sure there were East Germans who crossed the border before the wall fell and that is the best example of a militarized border that I can think of.