Necrotizing Fasciitis: Flesh Eating Bacteria

A flesh eating bacterium, or necrotizing fasciitis, is a bacterial infection that attacks the skin, muscle, and underlying tissue. The condition can occur from something as minor as a scratch or after major surgery. The Group A Strep infection, the same bacteria that causes strep throat, is most often the cause when a minor injury results in the condition, and a mixed bacterial infection causes necrotizing fasciitis after surgery. Everyone is susceptible to flesh eating bacteria. If the infection is caught in time, some cases of flesh eating bacterial infection can be successfully treated, but necrotizing fasciitis can result in death.

Symptoms of Flesh Eating Bacterial Infection:

A small, red bump on the skin is often the first sign of necrotizing fasciitis. The bump will change in color to bronze or purple and a rapidly growing patch develops, sometimes with a black center. Fluid sometimes oozes from the wound. Other symptoms include fever, sweating and chills, low blood pressure, nausea and dizziness, extreme weakness, dehydration, confusion and shock. (See references 2)

Cause of Flesh Eating Bacterial Infection:

A person becomes infected with flesh eating bacteria by coming into contact with someone carrying the Strep A bacteria. The carrier may not have any symptoms, but sneezes or touches someone else and spreads the infection.

Prevalence of Flesh Eating Bacterial Infection:

The CDC states there are between 9,000 and 15,000 cases of invasive Strep A each year, resulting in up to 1,800 deaths. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis account for 6 to 7% of these deaths. (See reference 3)

Diagnosis of Flesh Eating Bacterial Infection:

A physical exam is often all that is required to determine necrotizing fasciitis, but if there is any doubt, a CAT-scan, along with blood tests to find the specific bacteria are used.

Treatment Options for Flesh Eating Bacterial Infection:

Broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics are the first course of treatment against a flesh eating bacterial infection. Surgery is performed in which infected tissue is drained and removed to stop spread of bacteria. Donor immunoglobulins are sometimes given to fight infection. For certain bacteria, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be necessary. (See reference 2)

Prevention or Ways of Lessening Chances of Getting a Flesh Eating Bacterial Infection:

Necrotizing fasciitis cannot always be prevented, but precautions can be taken to lower the chances of developing the condition. Use anti-bacterial soap and wash hands often, along with staying away from people with strep throat, and clean any injuries thoroughly and often to reduce risk of getting flesh eating bacteria.

References:

http://www.nnff.org/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001443.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/groupastreptococcal_g.htm