Necrotizing Fasciitis Infection

Necrotizing fasciitis, also known as "flesh eating bacteria," is caused by an infection with the Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria, the same type of bacteria that causes strep throat. Necrotizing fasciitis is a much more severe form of the GAS infection. Approximately 25 percent of infected people die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Identification

• Necrotizing fasciitis develops when bacteria enters the body through a scrape, bruise, blister or cut in the skin, destroying soft tissue. If the infection is not successfully treated, muscle may also be destroyed. GAS bacteria is transmitted through airborne droplets or mucus when an infected person coughs or sneezes. If the droplets land on your skin or you touch an object contaminated by GAS and then touch a cut or scrape on your skin, necrotizing fasciitis can occur.

Initial Symptoms

• The initial symptom of necrotizing fasciitis is a small, red bump or spot on the skin, accompanied by pain. The pain may be more severe than you would expect for a small wound and may be felt around the bump or in the same limb. Flu-like symptoms often occur as the bacteria grow. These symptoms include fatigue, nausea, fever, dizziness, diarrhea or confusion.

Later Symptoms

• Within 3 or 4 days of infection, the affected area of the body begins to swell. If the infection is on your wrist, your entire arm may swell. Dark marks often appear on the skin, eventually replaced with blisters that are filled with a black fluid. As tissue death occurs, the affected area may take on a white, blue or dark appearance with some skin flaking. If treatment is not successful, you may develop toxic shock due to the toxins produced by the bacteria. Your blood pressure may drop and you may become unconscious.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis is made based on the appearance of the skin and a test of blood or fluids that indicates the presence of bacteria. Your doctor will ask you questions about how fast the infection progressed and will also use this information to assist in making a diagnosis.

Treatment

• Treatment with very strong antibiotics is needed if you have necrotizing fasciitis. Antibiotics are administered in a hospital using intravenous (IV) therapy. Antibiotic treatment may be accompanied by surgery to remove areas of dead skin and muscle and drain the infected areas. If the infection is severe, it may be necessary to amputate affected limbs. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be needed if the bacteria is an oxygen-avoiding organism. During this therapy, you are placed in a special chamber that allows you to breathe pure oxygen at a much higher than normal pressure. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy promotes healing by increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood.