[sickfromredtide]

Originally Posted by FLANATIVE1

Well, red tide affects everyone differently. I personally can't even tell when an outbreak has occured. I have been at the beach plenty of times during red tide and the only way I can tell there is a bloom is because all the dead marine life washes up on shore. You only have to worry about red tide if you are very young, very old, or have breathing problems. Other than that, red tide really isn't anything more than an anoyance (sp?) I just wish they could figure out what was causing it!

I read this post a million times and some of it really bothers me. " You only have to worry about red tide if you are very young, very old, or have breathing problems. Other than that, red tide really isn't anything more than an anoyance" Just an annoyance! This is exactally the same response I got from people that live in that area, its just ignorant.
The problem is pollution, chemicals used to keep the grasses green,
Check out some letters written in about it. It effects everyone.
Letters and Questions Red Tide Alert

[oceandreams94]

Originally Posted by FLANATIVE1

Well, red tide affects everyone differently. I personally can't even tell when an outbreak has occured. I have been at the beach plenty of times during red tide and the only way I can tell there is a bloom is because all the dead marine life washes up on shore. You only have to worry about red tide if you are very young, very old, or have breathing problems. Other than that, red tide really isn't anything more than an anoyance (sp?) I just wish they could figure out what was causing it!

O.k. now I am wondering about my children? How young do you have to be for it to cause problems? My children are 6, 4 and almost 1 year.


Jen

[FLANATIVE1]

The 1 year old might have trouble. Usually it just causes sneezing. As I have mentioned, I have been to the beach during an outbreak and I didn't even notice. There were also a lot of other people on the beach too. It really depends on the individual. Also, if you aren't at the beach you won't even know there is an outbreak. Some people say it is carried by the wind and can affect people inland. Well, that may be true but in my time living here, I have never heard of that happening. Red tide is really no big deal. If you get sick (more than normal sneezing and coughing) from it, then there is usually an underlying problem that you need to get checked out.

[FLANATIVE1]

Originally Posted by sickfromredtide

I read this post a million times and some of it really bothers me. " You only have to worry about red tide if you are very young, very old, or have breathing problems. Other than that, red tide really isn't anything more than an anoyance" Just an annoyance! This is exactally the same response I got from people that live in that area, its just ignorant.
The problem is pollution, chemicals used to keep the grasses green,
Check out some letters written in about it. It effects everyone.
Letters and Questions Red Tide Alert

There are plenty of more populated Florida areas that don't get red tide. They use just as much fertilizer and pesticides too. The truth is that nobody knows what causes red tide. Everyone has theories. The growth opponents blame it on growth. Some people blame it on run off. Others blame fresh water releases. The truth is we just don't know.

[sickfromredtide]

Originally Posted by FLANATIVE1

There are plenty of more populated Florida areas that don't get red tide. They use just as much fertilizer and pesticides too. The truth is that nobody knows what causes red tide. Everyone has theories. The growth opponents blame it on growth. Some people blame it on run off. Others blame fresh water releases. The truth is we just don't know.

I totally agree with you that "they" have no idea what causes the Red Tide and from what I'v read its been documented to be around since 1947 centered in Venice. The problem I have is when I bought a home in South Venice in 2006 no one told me a thing about Red Tide, this board was just starting out so there was no info about it when I was researching the area.
It wasn't until I move my Mother down there and she got sick in July 2006.
Even the doctors and lung specialist in Venice would not admit anything about Red Tide being a problem for your lungs. Most of the people living in Venice are old and they would look at me like I was nuts. Now I know why they nver leave the house. Sorry for being pain on this subject but I have my personal reasons, and I think everyone checking the area should know.

[hiknapster]

I never had pneumonia so much in my life, like I did in Fort Myers. I was sick a lot, and I'm not very young or old, just in-between!

Plenty of people notice it. Whenever it starts the news crews go down to the beach and interview all the outraged tourists. Can you imagine saving all year for your vacation and then having to deal with coughing and having to step over and smell dead fish?

[FLANATIVE1]

Originally Posted by sickfromredtide

I totally agree with you that "they" have no idea what causes the Red Tide and from what I'v read its been documented to be around since 1947 centered in Venice. The problem I have is when I bought a home in South Venice in 2006 no one told me a thing about Red Tide, this board was just starting out so there was no info about it when I was researching the area.
It wasn't until I move my Mother down there and she got sick in July 2006.
Even the doctors and lung specialist in Venice would not admit anything about Red Tide being a problem for your lungs. Most of the people living in Venice are old and they would look at me like I was nuts. Now I know why they nver leave the house. Sorry for being pain on this subject but I have my personal reasons, and I think everyone checking the area should know.

No I agree with you! I am fed up that they aren't researching this like it needs to be. However, as you mentioned, you moved your mother down here and she had problems. I could be wrong, but I am assuming she was a bit older. While a lot of people don't know about red tide, southwest florida (at least the Ft. Myers area) really puts out a lot of info on the issue compared to other areas. Charlotte, Sarasota, and Manatee counties seem to want to let the tourists figure it out for themselves. I can see why you are mad. Everyone thinks Sanibel-Ft. Myers gets the worst red tide. However, Sarasota-Venice actually gets hit the worst. They just don't let people know about it.

[FLANATIVE1]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I never had pneumonia so much in my life, like I did in Fort Myers. I was sick a lot, and I'm not very young or old, just in-between!

Plenty of people notice it. Whenever it starts the news crews go down to the beach and interview all the outraged tourists. Can you imagine saving all year for your vacation and then having to deal with coughing and having to step over and smell dead fish?

One trip to tripadvisor.com and any tourist would realize that a red tide outbreak is occuring (especially the Sanibel forum). Users on that site post beach reviews almost every other day. They still keep coming back though! For most people, red tide is just an annoyance. I am sorry about your pneumonia too! With all the outbreaks we have had the past two years you must have been miserable. I got lucky because I have no allergies or any respiratory(sp?) problems and I can't even notice a red tide outbreak even if I'm swimming in the water at the beach. This year has been a lot better as far as red tide goes. Red algae on the other hand......

[lovelongboatkey]

Originally Posted by FLANATIVE1

One trip to tripadvisor.com and any tourist would realize that a red tide outbreak is occuring (especially the Sanibel forum). Users on that site post beach reviews almost every other day. They still keep coming back though! For most people, red tide is just an annoyance. I am sorry about your pneumonia too! With all the outbreaks we have had the past two years you must have been miserable. I got lucky because I have no allergies or any respiratory(sp?) problems and I can't even notice a red tide outbreak even if I'm swimming in the water at the beach. This year has been a lot better as far as red tide goes. Red algae on the other hand......

We experienced our first Red Tide in 2005. We were vacationing in Longboat Key in May and we were completely surprised by it all. The hotel failed to notify us, although years ago they had let us know the Corps of Engineers were doing something out there and there would be some noise. I guess something that can cause serious health problems didn't warrant a heads up.
Nonetheless we were not physically affected by it. We swam in the ocean and hung out on the beach just like usual. I have a lot of allergies so I'm very surprised that I did not have a reaction. The smell and the dead fish were not pleasant but we made the best of it. This year I made sure I asked the reservations clerk about any outbreaks of Red Tide when I booked the hotel and I checked Mote Marine for updates as well. We love the area and the beaches and try to come down every year. We are very fortunate to have had only one encounter with Red Tide!

[hiknapster]

I don't think they can actually predict when it will occur?