Baby wipes are supposed to keep your little one clean and healthy, not spread an infection. The Pennsylvania-based company Nutek Disposables has recalled a number of its baby wipes for possible contamination by the Burkholderia cepacia (or B. cepacia) bacteria. The brands include:
- Cuties
- com
- Femtex
- Fred’s
- Kidgets
- Member’s Mark
- Simply Right
- Sunny Smiles
- Tender Touch
- Well Beginnings
The wipes are sold a number of online and brick-and-mortar retailers. Parents who purchased the wipes can find more information about the original recall date and what to do next through the Food and Drug Administration.
The recall was voluntary on behalf of Nutek, which was alerted to the problem by a small number of complaints by consumers. Nutek performed additional testing on other batches, and recalled all of their products as a result. So far, no information has been released about how the baby wipes were contaminated.
What does B. cepacia do to my baby?
While healthy people are normally safe from B. cepacia, it is a dangerous bacterial infection for children with serious or genetic lung conditions or illnesses, such as cystic fibrosis, or who are susceptible to respiratory illnesses. The bacteria settle in the lungs where it may present with no symptoms at all, manifest into a serious infection or lead to the tragic death of the child. Babies and toddlers with the infection may develop rashes, stomach problems, respiratory problems or fevers – in short, the very same symptoms that indicate the flu – but the FDA cannot confirm a link between these symptoms and the infection.
What do I do if I think my baby is infected?
The only way to determine whether or not your child has been infected is to have him/her tested for the bacteria. While B. cepacia can be treated, it can be resistant to many common antibiotics. A doctor will have to determine a course of action that is specific to the infected child. Because the bacteria spread through physical contact and environmental means, other child will be susceptible to the infection until the bacteria are cleared from your child. Make sure to limit his/her exposure to other people during treatment.
For more information, please call Banks and Jones.
T. Scott knows the importance of interacting with colleagues to stay abreast of developments and changes in the legal world. T. Scott frequently teaches CLE courses on trial strategy, teaching other lawyers his methods for success in the courtroom, and is certified as a Rule 31 Mediator in the Tennessee Supreme Court. He is a member of the Knoxville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the National Trial Lawyers, and both the Tennessee and American Associations for Justice.
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