we’ve all had some skin wound caused by poorly cutting some food, by falling and scraping ourselves or by other circumstances. What nobody imagines is that these injuries can cause necrotizing fasciitis or death.
The case of a 11 year old boy, Jesse Brownwhat passed away after developing a deadly infection caused by a carnivorous bacteria. The small suffered a leg injuryal use a treadmill.
Days later, her mother was alarmed because “His whole leg was covered with purple spotsred, almost like bruises”. When taking him to the hospital, they pointed out that the minor had developed a group A strep infection. As it was not attended to in a timely manner, the infection became carnivorous necrotizing fascitis.
What is necrotizing fasciitis
The necrotizing fascitisalso known as “flesh-eating infection”is a severe infection and potentially mortal of the skin and soft tissue underlying. It is caused by bacteria what invade and destroy affected tissue.
There are different types of bacteria that can “devour” meat; although group A strepare the main causes of necrotizing fasciitisalso known as soft tissue gangrene o necrotizing bacteria.
Los symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis include pain intense in the affected area, fever, swelling, redness y blisters filled with liquid. The skin may also appear tight and shiny. As the infection progresses, may cause necrosis tisularwhich means that the tissue begins to die.
There is a record of around 1,200 cases per year, since 2010, related to the necrotizing fascitis in United States. if the infection is not attended to in a timely manner, there could be sepsis o septicemiamention the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)1 in 3 people who acquire this infectiontomorrow.
How does necrotizing fasciitis occur?
What is necrotizing fasciitis. Photo: iStock
The Necrotizing fasciitis occurs when the bacteria invade the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, fur, fat and others fabrics connectives. The bacteria They usually enter the body through a open woundlike a cut, raspadura, burn o sting of insect.
Once the bacteria enter the bodythey can release toxins and enzymes that destroy tissue and cause a inflammatory answer of the immune system. The infection can spread rapidly through tissueresulting in a degradation of the affected soft tissue. As the infection progresseshe tissue turns dark and begins to die, which can lead to a gangrene.
Some factors that increase the risk of developing necrotizing fascitis include having a weakened immune system, chronic illnesses (diabetes, cancer, cirrhosis, renal disease), deep wounds or extensive, recent surgeries, intravenous drug use, and poor personal hygiene.
It is important seek immediate medical attention if a suspected necrotizing fascitis, as early treatment is essential to prevent serious and life-threatening complications.
How far does necrotizing fasciitis progress?
What is necrotizing fasciitis. Photo: iStock
The Necrotizing fasciitis it is a serious and life-threatening infection that can progress very quickly, especially if it is not treated right away. The bacteria it usually enters the body through scrapes, surgical wounds, puncture wounds, burns, insect bites, or cuts.
He advancement of necrotizing fasciitis It can vary depending on the person and the severity of infectionbut in general the disease it can progress in a matter of hours or days.
Los symptoms initial symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis may include pain intense in the affected area, fever, swelling, redness, and fluid-filled blisters. As the infection advancesmay cause necrosis tisularwhich means that the tissue begins to die. If left untreated, the infection can spread rapidly through the tissue, which can lead to tissue death and gangrene.
It is important to note that the Necrotizing fasciitis It is not spread from person to person like a cold or the flu. The infection usually occurs when the bacteria enter the body through an open wound or a skin lesion.
Unfortunately, its diagnosis can be complex, since many of the symptoms they relate to others conditions in early stage. To find out if it is Necrotizing fasciitisyou must do a lesion examinationa biopsy of tissue or a analysis of blood.
It is important to start the treatment as soon as possible so that antibiotics take effect and the damage does not affect other areas of the body. It must be considered that the necrotizing fascitis It spreads very quickly, so timely attention is the best.
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In the case of Jessethe bacteria came to his body injure yourself on the treadmill e infected the bloodstream. “They said that because he sprained his ankle, that’s probably where the infection struck him. Because he was already weak ”Jesse’s cousin pointed out.
“For this to kill him in a matter of days was crazy. If there was more awareness, maybe we could have detected it earlier when we noticed that he had fever”. The bacteria invaded his brain and caused it to ignite. The doctors did their best to save him, but that couldn’t happen.
If you thought the wounds They are a minor thing and you did not attend to them correctly, think twice after reading this. A poorly cared for wound can lead to necrotizing fasciitis and in the worst cases, the death.