Flesh-eating disease

 Flesh-eating disease

OVERVIEW

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe rapidly spreading bacterial infection that can cause death. The word “necrotizing” refers to something that causes the death of something else. The word “fasciitis” refers to inflammation of the fascia, which is the subcutaneous (under the skin) tissue that surrounds muscles and nerves and holds everything, including fat and blood vessels, in the correct position.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a form of necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI). Some people call necrotizing fasciitis or any NSTI the “flesh-eating disease.” Other NSTIs are necrotizing myositis and necrotizing cellulitis.

SYMPTOMS

Early symptoms of this condition include signs and symptoms that resemble those of the flu:

*Body aches.

*Fever.

*Chills.

*Nausea.

*Diarrhea.

*Severe pain at the site of injury.

 The progression of necrotizing fasciitis is very quick. Later signs and symptoms include:

*Reddened and/or discolored skin.

*Swelling of affected tissues.

*Unstable blood flow.

*Blisters filled with bloody or yellowish fluid.

*Tissue death (necrosis).

*Low blood pressure.

*Sepsis.

It’s important to seek care quickly if you have developed signs and symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis as this infection spreads fast.

The most common way to get necrotizing fasciitis is when bacteria invade your body through a cut in your skin, although it can happen if you have a trauma that doesn’t break the skin.

Ways that bacteria can enter your skin:

*Cuts, scrapes or burns.

*Insect bites.

*Wounds from needles and other things that cause puncture wounds.

*Surgery.

*While Group A strep bacteria are the most common cause of necrotizing fasciitis, you can also get it from many different types of bacteria, including bacteria that live in water.

Diagnosed

If your healthcare provider thinks you have necrotizing fasciitis, they may order diagnostic tests, including:

Blood tests, such as a complete blood count.

Culture of specimens taken from deep tissue.

Tissue biopsy.

Imaging tests, most likely a computed tomography (CT) scan.

Your provider will perform surgery to diagnose necrotizing fasciitis. They'll also perform surgery to examine your skin and tissues and remove dead tissue (a process called debriding).

MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT

How is necrotizing fasciitis treated?

Quick intervention is needed to control necrotizing fasciitis. You’ll require exploratory surgery to confirm the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. Surgery is also required to remove dead tissue. It may take multiple surgeries to control the infection and remove all of the dead tissue. It takes an average of three surgeries to make sure all of the infection is gone. Your provider will also likely prescribe antibiotics and intravenous (IV) fluids. After surgery, you may need skin grafts or plastic surgery to help the wounds close completely.

What complications are related to necrotizing fasciitis?

Many complications of necrotizing fasciitis are serious. They may include:

*Scars.

*Loss of limbs (arms, legs, fingers, toes).

*Toxic shock syndrome.

*Sepsis.

*Death.

*PREVENTION

TYPE OF DOCTOR AND DEPARTMENT : Endocrinology SPECIALIST CAN DIAGNOSES THIS DISEASE.