What is Necrotizing Fasciitis?
Necrotizing Fasciitis, commonly called a “flesh- eating infection,” this very rare disease can be caused by more than one type of bacteria. These bacteria include groups such as: A Streptococcus (group A strep),Klebsiella, Clostridium, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aeromonas hydrophila, among others. Group A strep is considered the most common cause of necrotizing fasciitis (WebMD).
Some of these bacteria also cause infections such as strep throat and impetigo (WebMD). Usually the infections caused by these bacteria are mild. But in rare cases they can cause a more dangerous infection. Necrotizing Fasciitis is very rare but serious type of infection. About 1 out of 4 people who are diagnose die from it. The infection can spread rapidly and destroy the skin, fat, and tissue covering the muscles within a very short time (WebMD).
The most common way of getting Necrotizing Fasciitis is when the bacteria enter the body through a break in the skin, like a cut, scrape, burn, insect bite, or puncture wound (CDC). Wounds that come in contact with ocean water or raw salt water fish, including injuries from handling sea animals such as crabs. An intestinal surgery site, or in tumors or gunshot injuries in the intestines, a muscle strain or bruise, even if there is no break in the skin (WebMD).
The bacteria can be passed from person to person through close contact, such as touching the wound of the infected person. But this rarely happens unless the person who is exposed to the bacteria has an open wound, chickenpox, or an impaired immune system.(WebMD).
Some of these bacteria also cause infections such as strep throat and impetigo (WebMD). Usually the infections caused by these bacteria are mild. But in rare cases they can cause a more dangerous infection. Necrotizing Fasciitis is very rare but serious type of infection. About 1 out of 4 people who are diagnose die from it. The infection can spread rapidly and destroy the skin, fat, and tissue covering the muscles within a very short time (WebMD).
The most common way of getting Necrotizing Fasciitis is when the bacteria enter the body through a break in the skin, like a cut, scrape, burn, insect bite, or puncture wound (CDC). Wounds that come in contact with ocean water or raw salt water fish, including injuries from handling sea animals such as crabs. An intestinal surgery site, or in tumors or gunshot injuries in the intestines, a muscle strain or bruise, even if there is no break in the skin (WebMD).
The bacteria can be passed from person to person through close contact, such as touching the wound of the infected person. But this rarely happens unless the person who is exposed to the bacteria has an open wound, chickenpox, or an impaired immune system.(WebMD).