What is Necrotizing Fasciitis?
Necrotizing fasciitis (nek-roe-tie-zing fah-shee-eye-tis ) is a serious bacterial infection that spreads rapidly and destroys the body's soft tissue. Commonly called a "flesh-eating infection" by the media, this rare disease can be caused by more than one type of bacteria. Group A Streptococcus (group A strep) is considered the most common cause of necrotizing fasciitis. Usually, infections from group A strep bacteria are generally mild or moderate and are easily treated, but sometimes toxins made by these bacteria destroy the tissue they infect, causing it to die. ("Necrotizing" means "causing the death of tissues.")
What are the causes of the Flesh Eating Disease?
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. Most people who get necrotizing fasciitis have other health problems that may lower their body's ability to fight infection. Some of these conditions include diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, or other chronic health conditions that weaken the body's immune system. If you're healthy, have a strong immune system, and practice good hygiene and proper wound care, your chances of getting necrotizing fasciitis are extremely low.
In cases of necrotizing fasciitis, bacteria spread rapidly once they enter the body. They infect flat layers of a membrane known as the fascia, connective bands of tissue that surround muscles, nerves, fat, and blood vessels. The infection also damages the tissues next to the fascia. Fascia is a soft connective tissue located just below the skin. It wraps and connects the muscles, bones, nerves and blood vessels of the body.
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. Most people who get necrotizing fasciitis have other health problems that may lower their body's ability to fight infection. Some of these conditions include diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, or other chronic health conditions that weaken the body's immune system. If you're healthy, have a strong immune system, and practice good hygiene and proper wound care, your chances of getting necrotizing fasciitis are extremely low.
In cases of necrotizing fasciitis, bacteria spread rapidly once they enter the body. They infect flat layers of a membrane known as the fascia, connective bands of tissue that surround muscles, nerves, fat, and blood vessels. The infection also damages the tissues next to the fascia. Fascia is a soft connective tissue located just below the skin. It wraps and connects the muscles, bones, nerves and blood vessels of the body.
What are the symptoms of this disease?
Necrotizing Fasciitis symptoms can often be confusing. The symptoms often start within hours after an injury and may seem like another illness or injury. Some people infected with necrotizing fasciitis may complain of pain or soreness, similar to a "pulled muscle." The skin may be warm with red or purplish areas of swelling that spread rapidly. There may be ulcers, blisters or black spots on the skin. Patients often describe their pain as severe and way out of proportion to how the painful area looks when examined by a doctor. Fever, chills, fatigue (tiredness) or vomiting may follow the initial wound or soreness. These confusing symptoms may delay a person from seeking medical attention quickly. If you think you may have these symptoms after a wound, see a doctor right away.
Necrotizing Fasciitis symptoms can often be confusing. The symptoms often start within hours after an injury and may seem like another illness or injury. Some people infected with necrotizing fasciitis may complain of pain or soreness, similar to a "pulled muscle." The skin may be warm with red or purplish areas of swelling that spread rapidly. There may be ulcers, blisters or black spots on the skin. Patients often describe their pain as severe and way out of proportion to how the painful area looks when examined by a doctor. Fever, chills, fatigue (tiredness) or vomiting may follow the initial wound or soreness. These confusing symptoms may delay a person from seeking medical attention quickly. If you think you may have these symptoms after a wound, see a doctor right away.
Who does the disease affect?
Like mention before, Necrotizing Fasciitis is a rare disease that anyone can get, but the chances of you getting the disease is high when you have a wound that is expose and not clean properly . Any chance of bacterias getting inside your body can be the start of this disease.
Like mention before, Necrotizing Fasciitis is a rare disease that anyone can get, but the chances of you getting the disease is high when you have a wound that is expose and not clean properly . Any chance of bacterias getting inside your body can be the start of this disease.
Are there treatments for the disease? If so, what are they? If not, why not?
People infected with flesh-eating bacteria will have several types of treatment. The treatment may includes:
People infected with flesh-eating bacteria will have several types of treatment. The treatment may includes:
- antibiotic therapy.
- Surgery to remove damaged or dead tissue in order to stop the spread of infection.
- Medications to raise blood pressure.
- Amputations of affected limbs, in some cases.
- Cardiac monitoring and breathing aids.
- Blood transfusions
**Additional Info**
-The main system that is affected by this disease is the integumentary because the Flesh Eating Disease (FED) destroys the soft tissue of the skin. Sometimes the toxins made by these bacterias dertroys the deep layer of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis level) causing them to die.
-It also affects the cardiovascular system. The toxins gets into the bloodstream which can shut down the heart because of heart failure.
-The main system that is affected by this disease is the integumentary because the Flesh Eating Disease (FED) destroys the soft tissue of the skin. Sometimes the toxins made by these bacterias dertroys the deep layer of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis level) causing them to die.
-It also affects the cardiovascular system. The toxins gets into the bloodstream which can shut down the heart because of heart failure.