Two Cases of Necrotizing Fasciitis in One Week; a Reason for Concern?

From opposing shores of the Atlantic, two different necrotizing bacteria stories involving youth made the news this week, with radically different outcomes. In England, Jake Kendall, 13, felt his arm suddenly throbbing and within a short time was shaking head to foot. His parents rushed him to the local hospital where the staff noted a rash the size of a 50 pence coin on his forearm and diagnosed necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh-eating bacteria. The rash quickly spread to cover Kendall's entire forearm.

Prompt diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis is what eventually saved Kendall's arm, though it was no easy road to recovery. Kendall was treated with antibiotics, underwent several skin grafts, and spent a week in an induced coma before being pronounced fit to go home.

In Columbus, Ohio, the captain of the Upper Arlington High School rowing team was not so fortunate. What began as an apparent strained calf muscle a week ago developed into a case of necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh eating bacteria that ultimately caused amputation of both of Blake Haxton's legs above the knees, Fox News reported today.

Necrotizing Fasciitis Incidence

With reports of two young, healthy people suffering from necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh eating bacteria, in a single week, should the average person be concerned about the possibility of acquiring this dangerous and often deadly infection? According to WrongDiagnosis, the incidence rate for necrotizing fasciitis is 1 in 453,333, a total of 600 people in the entire USA.

Symptoms of Necrotizing Fasciitis

Although necrotizing fasciitis is rare, its seriousness requires prompt identification in treatment to maximize the chance of a successful outcome. Necrotizing fasciitis can occur spontaneously or at the site of a wound. Orthopaedic Weblinks describes necrotizing fasciitis as "a progressive, rapidly spreading, inflammatory infection located in the deep fascia [tissue], with secondary necrosis of the subcutaneous tissues." The thicker the tissue, the quicker necrotizing fasciitis spreads.

Unexplained soft tissue pain and tenderness is one indicator that necrotizing fasciitis might be present.

Risk Factors for Necrotizing Fasciitis

Diabetics, alcoholics, immunosuppressed persons, drug addicts, and patients with peripheral atherosclerotic vascular disease have an increased risk of acquiring necrotizing fasciitis.

Sources: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510290,00.html; http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/superdoc_saved_flesh_eating_bug_boy_s_life_1_529009?referrerPath=news/; http://www.orthopaedicweblinks.com/Detailed/9180.html; http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/n/necrotizing_fasciitis/stats-country.htm; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8010562; http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/18/1/195.