Facts About Necrotizing Fasciitis, Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Necrotizing fasciitis is one of the scariest sounding diseases around. The second name for this disease is even worse, flesh-eating bacteria. There are some incredible facts that one should know about this horrifying bacterial infection.

1. With a 30% mortality rate, this type of Streptococcus pyogenes is very aggressive and difficult to treat. One in three people die upon infection. The disease spreads rapidly and virtually destroys the soft tissues that it comes in contact with.

2. This disease does not lean towards those with a weakened immune system. This disease is capable of taking down anyone at any time. If the normal immune system is repressed for some reason, the infection tends to spread faster and cause the death sooner than if the immune system is uncompromised.
3. Necrotizing fasciitis can be caused by various different bacteria providing the toxins that are produced by these bacteria cause the reaction. The most common of the bacteria that cause necrotizing fasciitis is Streptococcus pyogenes of the class A, although, this is not the only type of bacteria that can cause the infection.

4. Necrotizing fasciitis can be spread from one person to the next. The second person to receive the bacteria often does not develop the same level of infection as the first. If that person were to have an open wound and that bacterium where to reach the wound, then true damage could be done and a life can be risked.

5. Necrotizing fasciitis is often diagnosed by the speed that the infection takes over the body. The patient is often already very sick before seeing the doctor since the infection can spread through out the body in less than twenty-four hours. There will often be a thickening and redness around the infected area. Diagnostic tests and samples can also be done to help the doctor make a correct clinical assessment of the type of illness being dealt with. These tests can also help a doctor to determine the level of progression of the bacteria and the extent of the damage done. Treatments are also determined by using these tests.