All About Flesh-Eating Bacteria
In one of the planet's most injustices, two people who rescued others throughout Hurricane Harvey developed infections with "flesh-eating" bacteria. A girl who broke her arm at the flood and fell, another individual, developed a similar illness that she died from it. Their stories are infrequent.
What is this germ and how can it eat your flesh?
There are in fact several types of bacteria which can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, that's the more accurate name for this condition. "Necrotizing" means that the cells in your own body's flesh are dying off; "fasciitis" signifies the outcome is inflammation of several connective tissues called fascia.
Group A Streptococcus is one of the more common culprits, but Klebsiella, Clostridium, E. coli, along with many others can cause it too.
The bacteria do not eat your flesh, but they do release toxins that dissolve it, so you won't enjoy the difference if you're experiencing an infection.
How likely am I to get this infection?
Necrotizing fasciitis is uncommon. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 1000 Americans receive the form of it that is brought on by group A Streptococcus every year. Bad news: there are more instances than that. Good news: at least reports seem to be holding steady, so it's likely not increasing.
How do people get necrotizing fasciitis?
The flesh-dissolving bacteria can live almost everywhere around us. But they can't find an entry point till you've got some wound, even a small one. That's why it's very important to keep wounds. If you're wading around in filthy flood water, then a band-aid is not going to cut it. Here's the CDC's advice:
Keep open or draining wounds covered with clean, dry bandages until healed.
Do not delay first aid of even minor, non-infected wounds (such as blisters, scrapes, or any break in the skin).
Avoid spending some time in whirlpools, hot tubs, swimming pools, and natural bodies of water (e.g., rivers, lakes, oceans) if you have an open wound or skin disease.
Wash often hands with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand rub if washing isn't feasible.
In case you've got an immune system that is super, you're unlikely to get necrotizing fasciitis. But in case you have you're more in danger. (It is still rare, however. Don't worry, however, do take care of your wounds.)
Often the earliest symptom is the pain. It could feel like a pulled muscle or a bruise like it seems a lot worse than it seems and the wound may seem. If the disease is near the skin, then you might notice heat, redness, and swelling. A lot of infections can cause these symptoms of inflammation, therefore there is a swollen red wouldn't automatically bacteria. But this collection of symptoms is an indication that you need to seek medical assistance, especially if they come with nausea, fever, or nausea.
Is it curable?
Sort of. Antibiotics can kill bacteria as your infection isn't the kind. You might wind up on doses of antibiotics for a while. But here's the horrible fact: it might be impossible to have antibiotics into all of the regions of tissue which are already dead or dying. Hence the only way to remove the disease in certain instances is literally to remove it--clipping out chunks of muscle or whatever tissue was destroyed. Amputation may be critical if the infection is poor enough.
Necrotizing fasciitis spreads quickly, occasionally an inch per hour. So I will state this. Get medical help right away if you've got a wound with fatigue, chills, fever, or vomiting.
