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Even a minor, seemingly harmless injury like this can escalate into a severe medical crisis in just a matter of days.
Hemera/ThinkstockIn April 2009, Rob Marshall's youngest daughter fell ill, prompting him to stay home to care for her. For most parents, this would be a routine event with no further consequences.
However, for Marshall, the situation took a terrifying turn. After spending the day at home, he experienced a sudden, mild pain in his thigh. This pain quickly intensified, leading to a six-week stay in the ICU, where he nearly lost his leg. Doctors performed five surgeries to remove necrotic tissue, administered 23 units of blood, and treated him for kidney failure [source: Marshall].
What could have triggered this unexpected and bizarre series of events following an otherwise ordinary day? If you were playing the role of a medical sleuth while reading the previous paragraph, you might have considered several potential causes for Marshall's illness (from which, fortunately, he eventually recovered). However, you would only earn the detective's gold star if you identified necrotizing fasciitis, more commonly referred to as flesh-eating bacteria.
Although they may appear improbable or straight out of a science-fiction story, flesh-eating bacteria are very real, extremely dangerous, and potentially deadly. As demonstrated earlier, their mode of attack can be baffling. Consider the case of 21-year-old Devin Adair from the University of Tulsa. The football tight-end suddenly fell ill and passed away just one week later. An autopsy confirmed that flesh-eating bacteria were responsible for his untimely and mysterious death [source: Owings]. In fact, approximately 30 to 40 percent of flesh-eating bacteria cases result in fatalities [source: Stoppler].
So, what exactly is necrotizing fasciitis? How can something as minor as a paper cut escalate into a life-threatening situation? Continue reading to understand how flesh-eating bacteria operate, the warning signs to watch for, and the steps you can take to safeguard yourself.
Flesh-eating Bacteria Basics
Necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria, is a condition where a typically mild infection turns into a severe and dangerous disease. One of the most frequent culprits is group A Streptococcus (Strep A), the same bacteria that causes strep throat. Interestingly, about 15 to 30 percent of people are currently carrying Strep A without showing any symptoms [source: National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation].
A person contracts flesh-eating bacteria—an extremely rare condition—when Strep A or other bacteria enter their body through an open wound, a surgical site, or even a bruise or muscle strain. While the bacteria can spread through person-to-person contact, it rarely develops into flesh-eating bacteria without an open wound. Once inside the body, the bacteria rapidly destroy skin, tissue, and fat, potentially leading to organ failure and death [source: WebMD].
Flesh-eating bacteria act so swiftly that early intervention is critical for survival. Immediate treatment involves high doses of antibiotics like penicillin and clindamycin to combat the infection, surgical removal of necrotic tissue to stop the bacteria's spread, and addressing toxic shock symptoms as the body begins to shut down [source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention].
Given how rapidly flesh-eating bacteria progress—transforming a small spot on your leg into a full-blown infection in under 30 minutes—you might think it’s easy to spot and diagnose. However, this is far from the truth. With only about 500 cases reported annually, the illness is highly unpredictable in terms of when and where it strikes [source: Owings]. Currently, the best diagnostic methods involve monitoring for sudden symptom onset, examining tissue samples, and conducting tests to assess organ health [source: WebMD].
Beyond a medical diagnosis, what symptoms should we watch for, and how quickly do they escalate? Continue reading to uncover detailed information about the symptoms associated with flesh-eating bacteria.
Proper wound care promotes healing and prevents bacterial infections. Follow these simple steps:
- Rinse the wound with cool water.
- Clean the surrounding area with soap and a soft cloth, avoiding soap inside the wound.
- Use sterilized tweezers (cleaned with rubbing alcohol) to remove any remaining debris.
- Apply a bandage if the wound is prone to dirt or irritation. Consult your doctor if unsure—some wounds heal better covered, while others do not.
- Use antibiotic ointment to prevent infection, aid healing, and minimize scarring.
[source: FamilyDoctor.org]
Symptom Timeline
Proper wound care is crucial to preventing harmful bacterial infections.
David De Lossy/ThinkstockUnlike conditions like high blood pressure, which often show no obvious signs, flesh-eating bacteria announce their presence loudly and aggressively. The initial symptom is typically pain at the site of an injury, which may temporarily ease before worsening dramatically, far beyond what the injury would suggest. The affected area may become hot, swollen, and red. Additional symptoms can include diarrhea, fever, chills, vomiting, and nausea [source: WebMD].
These symptoms develop rapidly, following a distinct and accelerated progression. Here’s how the timeline of symptoms usually unfolds:
- Within the first 24 hours: Flesh-eating bacteria can appear suddenly, often starting from a minor injury like a cut, scrape, or scratch. During the initial 24 hours, you may notice pain at the wound site that intensifies significantly. Flu-like symptoms such as nausea, fever, weakness, and diarrhea may also develop.
- Three to four days in: The area around the wound may swell and develop a purple rash. Dark marks may form, turning into blisters filled with dark fluid. As the condition progresses, the skin may begin to die, becoming flaky, white, or darkened.
- Four to five days into the infection: As toxic shock syndrome sets in, caused by bacterial toxins spreading through your body, your blood pressure may drop, and you could lose consciousness.
[source: National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation]
Now that you’re aware of the warning signs of flesh-eating bacteria, what steps can you take to prevent this dangerous condition? Continue reading to assess your risk level and learn essential hygiene practices to protect yourself.
Preventing Flesh-eating Bacteria
After learning about necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh-eating bacteria, you’re likely treating this condition with the seriousness it deserves. While it’s important to recognize its severity, there’s no need to isolate yourself at home. The illness is extremely rare, and staying indoors won’t necessarily protect you. However, are some people at higher risk than others? Are there practical steps we can take to reduce our chances of infection?
Anyone, including those typically considered healthy, can be at risk for flesh-eating bacteria. However, certain factors increase the likelihood of contracting this condition. Higher-risk individuals include those with weakened immune systems, recent infections like chickenpox, chronic health conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, or cancer, or those with open wounds or using steroid medications [source: WebMD].
Even if you don’t fall into these high-risk categories, there are still general precautions you can take to reduce your chances of infection. To safeguard yourself and others, adopt these basic hygiene practices:
- Properly care for and clean any wounds. (Refer to the detailed wound care guide on the previous page for more information.)
- Wash your hands regularly. (If you think you’re already a hand-washing expert, double-check your technique with the tips provided in the sidebar.)
- Avoid close contact with individuals who have sore throat-related illnesses.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing—turn away from others and use your elbow instead of your hands.
- Dispose of used tissues immediately.
While these hygiene practices are crucial, the most effective protection comes from early detection. Stay vigilant about your body, monitor for symptoms, and consult your doctor promptly if you have any concerns.
Even if you’ve taken all possible precautions—maintaining hand hygiene and monitoring for symptoms—there’s still a small chance of contracting flesh-eating bacteria. If this happens, your focus shifts to joining the 60 to 70 percent of people who survive this illness. For motivation, turn to the next page to read about the inspiring stories of two women who not only survived but also founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources about flesh-eating bacteria.
Traditional soap and water method: Start by wetting your hands with warm water. Apply soap and work it into a rich lather, ensuring you cover all surfaces, including between your fingers. Continue scrubbing for 15 to 20 seconds, then rinse thoroughly and dry. Use a towel to turn off the faucet to avoid recontamination.
Hand sanitizer alternative: When soap and water aren’t available, opt for an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Check the label to ensure it contains alcohol. Apply a generous amount to your palm and rub it over your hands until they are completely dry.
[source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
Survival Stories
Claudia Mejia developed flesh-eating bacteria shortly before delivering her son. To save her life, she underwent multiple amputation surgeries.
John Raoux/Associated PressAs previously mentioned, surviving flesh-eating bacteria hinges on early intervention with high-dose antibiotics and surgical removal of infected tissue. However, once you recover, you won’t face the risk of the same strain recurring. The illness doesn’t return once eradicated. What lingers, though, are the intense memories of the harrowing experience.
Jackie Roemmele and Donna Batdorff, the founders of the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation, share their personal stories on the foundation’s website. Here’s a glimpse into what they endured.
In 1993, Jackie underwent surgery to address post-pregnancy hernias. Unfortunately, her surgical site became the entry point for flesh-eating bacteria. She endured a prolonged battle with the illness, which wasn’t correctly diagnosed until much later. During her ordeal, she suffered from a 104-degree fever, severe pain, and anemia. Although she survived, the surgeries to remove necrotic tissue left her with numbness and disfigurement. Her experience led her to connect with Donna online, and together they established the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation to support others facing similar challenges [source: Roemmele].
Donna’s story, while different, is equally remarkable. During a skiing trip in 1996, Donna, who had always been healthy, began experiencing flu-like symptoms. A small cut on her finger led to arm soreness, which worsened due to flesh-eating bacteria. Despite feeling terrible, she managed to return home. Her recovery involved dehydration, low blood pressure, days of unconsciousness, and even life support. She underwent five surgeries, including the removal of a finger, tissue scraping, and skin grafts from her thighs to her arm. A year later, with prosthetic fingers, Donna resumed her active lifestyle, biking and taking aerobics [source: Batdorff].
While Jackie, Donna, and other survivors have overcome flesh-eating bacteria, the emotional and physical scars often remain. Drawing from their experiences, Jackie and Donna established the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation to raise awareness, support those mourning loved ones lost to the illness, and provide resources for those seeking more information.
For additional information on flesh-eating bacteria and related health topics, explore the links on the following page.
