During changes in weather and humidity, it contributes to the occurrence of Necrotizing Fasciitis bacteria or flesh-eating bacteria disease. Necrotizing Fasciitis is a bacterial infection that causes severe inflammation of the skin, spreading to the subcutaneous tissue layers including the fat layer under the skin, fascia tissue, as well as muscles and nerves, leading to the death of skin and tissue. It may spread to other parts, including entering the bloodstream, which can be fatal.
How do bacteria invade and eat human flesh?
Flesh-eating bacteria disease occurs from walking barefoot, wading through mud, stepping on shells or wood splinters, or being cut by glass shards. The bacteria can enter the body through the skin or bloodstream via cuts, abrasions, scratches, insect bites, burns, needle use, or surgical wounds. If wounds are not properly cared for, infection may develop.
Symptoms of flesh-eating bacteria disease
- Patients will experience heat in the skin area, surrounding skin turns red, and swelling occurs rapidly
- Severe pain at the wound site that is disproportionate to the size of the wound
- Pain in the arm/leg and muscle tightness
- Flu-like symptoms such as sweating, fatigue, dizziness, fever, nausea, or diarrhea
- Dehydration symptoms such as thirst and reduced urination
- If there is a high fever, pain, and tenderness at the wound, blistering rash, and the affected skin rapidly turns dark purple or forms blisters, immediate treatment is required as it may cause tissue death at the site. The disease usually occurs on the legs or feet. If it spreads further, complications such as bloodstream infection or kidney failure may occur
Risk groups for flesh-eating bacteria disease
- Common in elderly groups, farmers who work barefoot in rice fields, with wounds on the body exposed to dirt
- People using steroids
- Patients with skin diseases, possibly after chickenpox
- People with underlying diseases such as alcoholism, drug addiction, liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, immunodeficiency, tuberculosis, etc.
- People with minor wounds who do not clean or care for the wounds properly, leading to spreading infection
Did you know that bacteria entering the body can be life-threatening!!
Patients with severe symptoms who do not receive timely treatment are at risk of bloodstream infection, causing damage to nerves, muscles, and blood vessels, potentially leading to amputation. If organs do not respond, it may result in death. Additionally, survivors may have scars or disabilities in limbs.
Stop the spread of infection easily by proper treatment
- Patients must be diagnosed urgently and treated immediately to assess symptoms and surgically remove as much infected tissue as possible to drain pus and cut away dead tissue. In severe infections, amputation may be necessary
- Patients may need multiple antibiotics intravenously, blood pressure control medications, and intravenous immunoglobulin to help the body respond to infection
- Patients must undergo surgery to remove damaged or dead tissue to stop the spread of infection. Amputation of arms or legs may be required if the infection is severe
- Use of ventilators for patients if the infection spreads to the bloodstream causing shock
- Provide 100% pure oxygen to help preserve healthy tissue
- Blood transfusion if indicated
- Severe cases require ICU admission, which may take weeks of treatment and isolation from other patients to reduce infection risk. After treatment, some patients who had large amounts of infected tissue removed or amputations may need reconstructive surgery and physical therapy to restore muscle and nerve function as close to normal as possible
Know first… prevent it
- Farmers working barefoot in rice fields with wounds should avoid wading in mud, keep wounds clean and hygienic, and apply antibiotics as appropriate
- Clean wounds immediately with clean water and pat dry with a clean cloth
- Clean wounds daily and use clean dressing materials
- Avoid sharing swimming pools and bathtubs
- Wash hands before and after touching wounds to prevent infection
- If symptoms do not improve, seek immediate medical attention at the nearest hospital for further treatment
- If there is fever, pain, swelling, redness, or burning at the wound site, see a doctor immediately
Flesh-eating bacteria disease is rare. If you or your loved ones are healthy with normal immunity and properly care for wounds, the chance of getting this disease is low. However, if at risk of severe conditions, seek medical attention promptly as the bacteria destroy subcutaneous tissue and muscles, which can be life-threatening if untreated or cause disability. Let’s care and prevent together. Don’t wait for flesh-eating bacteria disease to harm you and your loved ones.
