INFECTION THAT CAN LEAD TO DEATH

Necrotising fasciitis, commonly known as flesh-eating disease, is an infection that results in the death of the body's soft tissue.It is a severe disease of sudden onset that spreads rapidly. Symptoms include red or purple skin in the affected area, severe pain, fever, and vomiting. The most commonly affected areas are the limbs and perineum.



The bacteria do not actually “eat” the flesh, but release toxins that destroy tissue.  The infection is treated with massive amounts of antibiotics, and all affected flesh must be removed to stop it from spreading.



Typically the infection enters the body through a break in the skin such as a cut or burn. Risk factors include poor immune function such as from diabetes or cancer, obesity, alcoholism, intravenous drug use, and peripheral vascular disease. It is not typically spread between people. The disease is classified into four types, depending on the infecting organism.

Prevention is by good wound care and handwashing. It is usually treated with surgery to remove the infected tissue and intravenous antibiotics. Often a combination of antibiotics are used such as penicillin G, clindamycin, vancomycin, and gentamicin. Delays in surgery are associated with a higher risk of death. Despite high quality treatment the risk of death is between 25% and 35%.