You know what is really scary is that where I got my infection on the river was only a few hundred yards from where water is sucked in for the city of Atlanta!!
Though I have some really nasty scars it could been much worse since the abrasion was in the front of my leg where there is little flesh in front of the bone and it it would have gotten to the bone I coulda lost my leg!!
Nowadays if I get the slightest scratch on the river I immediately treat it with peroxide and schmear some antibacterial goop on it. I put together a pretty comprehensive first aid kit with peroxide, betadine, bacitracin and of course cayenne. I also carry a bit of Dr. Bronners soap to wash out a wound if need be. We're pretty safety conscious and 2 of us took a wilderness first aid course and are Red Cross certified in CPR. In addition we also took a swift water rescue course and always carry rescue ropes, carabiners and throwbags on the river.