Necrotizing fasciitis, more commonly known as the flesh eating bacteria, is a progressive skin infection caused by a type of bacterium called group A streptococcus. Unfortunately, approximately 25 percent of people who develop this bacterial infection experience fatal medical complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People who exhibit flesh eating bacteria symptoms should seek immediate attention from a medical professional.
Skin Reaction
Flesh eating bacteria symptoms typically arise as a complication of minor skin trauma. During the first 24 to 36 hours after injury, the damaged skin typically appears to be healing normally before abruptly becoming worse, MedlinePlus reports. Initially, the injured skin may develop a number of small, red bumps or spots. Over the next several hours, the area of the affected skin may expand rapidly. Within a couple of days, the skin can begin to develop dark, blistered patches of skin that appear bluish or white in color. Blisters that form across the infected skin may break open and can begin leaking fluid. Additionally, the infected skin is typically swollen and may feel warm to the touch.
Pain
Sensation of moderate to intense pain can arise near the site of the skin injury. Typically, the severity of pain felt by people with this type of infection significantly exceeds the severity of the injury, the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation warns. The affected skin region may be extremely sensitive to touch, which may affect a person's ability to use the symptomatic limb normally.
Flu-like Symptoms
General flu-like symptoms may also arise in people infected with flesh eating bacteria. These symptoms include fever, chills, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, the University of Michigan Health System reports. Affected people may also feel unusually fatigued or achy. Within 4 to 5 days of symptom onset, people may experience a rapid drop in their blood pressure, a medical emergency that can lead to loss of consciousness or toxic shock, the NNFF warns. Those who develop such symptoms should seek emergency medical care to avoid life threatening complications.
References
- National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation: Necrotizing Fasciitis
- University of Michigan Health System: Necrotizing Fasciitis (Flesh-Eating Bacteria)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Group A Streptococcal Disease
- MedlinePlus: Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection
- Cigna: Necrotizing Fasciitis (Flesh-Eating Bacteria)
