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Flesh Eating Bacteria

4 de mayo de 2020

4 min de lectura

Flesh-eating disease is known by the scientific term necrotizing fasciitis. Flesh-eating bacteria act quickly, making it essential to act fast and treat the disease early.

What Is Flesh-Eating Disease?

Flesh-eating disease is a condition caused by bacteria or other infectious organisms. It causes the progressive death of soft tissue in the body. The name “necrotizing fasciitis” refers to death of the fascia, or the connective tissue that runs throughout your body. Fascia forms bands or sheaths of connectivity tissue, most of which is made up of collagen. In necrotizing fasciitis, bacteria attack the fascia, skin, and tissue just below the skin.

Necrotizing fasciitis is rare, affecting only 0.4 people per 100,000 per year in the United States. However, it is more common among older people and those who are immunocompromised.

Symptoms of Flesh-Eating Disease

Flesh-eating disease begins suddenly and progresses very quickly. The bacteria need a point of entry to get into the body. As a result, the condition often arises after a surgery or injury. Common pathways of entry include cuts, scrapes, insect bites, burns, puncture wounds due to intravenous drug use, or surgical incisions following knee replacement surgery, appendectomy, or other surgeries.

In the early stages, necrotizing fasciitis is often mistaken for the flu. You may develop the following early symptoms:

· Fever

· Red, swollen, or warm area of skin

· Severe pain in a particular area that may gradually spread

· Sore throat

· Stomach ache

· Nausea or vomiting

· Chills

· Diarrhea

· General body aches

If you develop the above symptoms after an injury or surgery, contact your doctor right away. As the disease progresses, symptoms worsen quickly. Later symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis include:

· Ulcers or blisters on the skin

· Black spots on the skin

· Changes in skin color

· Oozing or pus from the area of infection

· Dizziness

· Diarrhea

· Nausea

· Fatigue

· Very high fever (over 104 degrees Fahrenheit)

The appearance of the wound changes over the course of necrotizing fasciitis. At first, the infected area is red and warm to the touch. It then becomes very painful, with a sharp or stabbing pain much greater than the injury would warrant. It may become bright red, shiny, and swollen. Then, as the bacteria advance, it will become purple, black, or deep red. It may feel hard to the touch. Pain often becomes excruciating within 12 to 48 hours. If the infection is not stopped, pain may stop because the nerve endings in the area have died.

Causes of Flesh-Eating Disease

Flesh-eating disease is typically caused by a bacterial infection. While there are numerous types of bacteria that can cause the disease, Group A streptococcus (group A strep) is the most common. The infection gets into the skin and fascia, progressing at the rate of an inch per hour. The bacteria release toxins that prevent blood from reaching the tissue, causing cell death. The bacteria also create enzymes that “eat” away healthy cells. If infected tissue is not promptly removed, the bacteria may continue to spread.

Flesh-Eating Disease Is Serious and Can Be Deadly

Developing flesh-eating disease is a medical emergency. Necrotizing fasciitis commonly leads to sepsis (the release of inflammatory chemicals in response to an infection), shock, and organ failure. Prompt treatment with antibiotics and surgery is critical. Surgery typically includes debridement to eliminate dead or infected tissue. It often takes several surgeries to completely remove the infection. Your medical team may also use multiple types of antibiotics to attempt to clear the infection. The goal is to remove the infection before it spreads too far and causes irreversible damage.

Even with treatment, 1 in 3 people with flesh-eating bacteria die from the condition. Streptococcal shock syndrome, in which blood pressure drops and organs begin to fail, is a common complication of the disease. Among people who develop necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal shock syndrome, 50 to 60% eventually die.

Life After Flesh-Eating Disease

Recovery after flesh-eating disease can be long and challenging. In some cases, individuals lose limbs due to amputation to prevent the spread of infection. There may also be severe scarring as a direct result of the infection or due to tissue debriding (removing dead/infected tissue). Furthermore, the infection can cause lasting organ damage that may need monitoring and treatment.

Because flesh-eating disease is so rare, you may find it difficult to find other people who understand your experiences. The sudden, rapid progression of flesh-eating bacteria can leave psychological scars as well as physical damage. Connecting with others facing similar circumstances can help you feel less alone. Mental health treatment to address depression, anxiety, or self-esteem issues related to skin changes can also help.

Resources

Flesh-eating disease is rare. You can learn more about the disease, its causes, and ongoing research at:

· The Association of Professionals in Infection Care and Epidemiology

· The National Organization for Rare Disorders

Sources

Información general, no consejo médico

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