Necrotizing fasciitis (NF), commonly known as flesh-eating disease or Flesh-eating bacteria syndrome, is a condition where bacteria destroy or eat up the flesh. The bacterium that causes this condition is the Streptococcus Pyogenes. Necrotizing Fasciitis is not an easy word to pronounce and this is how it can be pronounced neck-row-tize-ing fash-e-i-tis and it simply means decaying skin.
The bacterium Streptococcus Pyogenes starts a skin infection that turns severe. The skin’s surface gets infiltrated by the bacteria and they start to attack the tissues lying beneath the derma or skin. After attacking the tissues, the muscle and fat become the next targets and all these begin to die slowly as the bacteria multiplies and leads to the production of deadly toxins. Almost one-third of people who are infected by these deadly bacteria fail to recover. The common parts of the body where these deadly bacteria attack are the legs, arms and abdominal walls.
How Does One Get Infected?
Getting infected by these deadly bacteria is very easy. All you need to have on your body surface is a small opening or cut that can be anything ranging from a staple puncture, knife cut, or even a pin prick. The bacterium seizes the opportunity and enters the skin. People who suffer from abrasions, bruises and blisters are also susceptible to this flesh eating bacterium, or thorough surgery or during traumatic accidents. Another means of easy infection is through direct contact with secretions of a person who already carries this bacterium or through the respiratory droplets in the event they sneeze or cough.
About Streptococcus Pyogenes Bacteria
Streptococcus Pyogenes is the bacterium that causes this rare disease and it belongs to the Group A Streptococci bacterium which is responsible for sore throat or Pharyngitis and skin infections. These flesh eating bacteria are capable of producing toxins that can destroy all tissues like muscles, fat and skin rather quickly.
Symptoms of Necrotizing Fasciitis
Redness of skin, swelling and pain can be experienced in the affected areas of the body. The appearance of blisters is the first sign. Other symptoms patients begin to experience include fevers, nausea and vomiting and flu like symptoms along with body aches. The distinguishing characteristic feature of the flesh eating disease is the rapid spreading of the disease. It begins to attack within twenty four hours of getting infected and it gets to work eating up the various tissues beneath the skin. The pain can be severe and unbearable. In the later stages gangrene will develop in the affected areas with the skin becoming discolored, with scale formation and peeling of the skin, leading to death. People who have contacted this deadly disease often are those who have been in perfect health previously. The bacterium attacks those with diabetes, cancer, weak immune system and other chronic medical conditions.
Prevention of Necrotizing Fasciitis
Necrotizing Fasciitis is not a disease that can be prevented at any cost. By being hygienic and always alert, there are chances you can be saved. It pays to use an anti-bacterial soap for cleaning your body, keep your mouth covered whenever you sneeze, keeping your mouth and nose covered by wearing protection gauze, throwing away used tissues. Washing hands frequently also helps. Stay away from people who have sore throats as they are likely to carry the germs as a precaution.
Treatment of Necrotizing Fasciitis
Treatment for this disease is done at the hospital through the removal of the infected tissues and through antibiotic IV therapy. Early treatment for this disease is very crucial and at times patients can be put in intensive care units for treatment. The infected tissues along with bodily fluids are drained out to prevent further infection along with administration of anti biotic medications to curb the bacterium from causing further damage.
If you become aware of any of the early symptoms, see a doctor at once and ensure you are not stricken by the bacterium. Delay to consult a doctor can be deadly and cost your life. Because it is a deadly disease, it’s better to rule out the diseases if you do experience any of the above mentioned symptoms to save your life.
