These bacteria can also cause strep throat, scarlet fever, skin infections and rheumatic fever. It is not fully understood why group A streptococcus bacteria sometimes cause necrotizing fasciitis. However, these bacteria make toxins that destroy body tissue directly. The bacteria also cause the body's immune system to destroy its own tissue while fighting the infection. Group A streptococcus bacteria spread by contact with saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat of an infected person.
The infected person may or may not have symptoms. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the bacteria spread through droplets in the air. You can become infected when you breathe in these droplets, touch objects contaminated with them, and then touch your eyes or mucous membranes or put your hands in your mouth. The bacteria can also spread through close personal contact.
For example, kissing or sharing drinking cups, forks, spoons or cigarettes. There is no vaccine to prevent group A streptococcal infections. Antibiotics are recommended if you have close contact with someone who has necrotizing fasciitis caused by group A streptococcus for example, if you live in the same household. Since this severe form of streptococcal infection can progress so rapidly, the best approach is to get medical attention as soon as symptoms occur. Remember, an important clue to this disease is very severe pain at the site of a wound.
Always take good care of minor cuts to reduce the chance of the tissues under the skin getting infected. Contributions are deductible for computing income estate taxes. Sepsis Alliance tax ID Share your Story.
Get Resources. Donate Button — Arrow. Necrotizing fasciitis symptoms The symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis infection are much like any type of infection, but they appear more rapidly and are more intense: Small, red, painful lump or bump on the skin Changes to a very painful bruise-like area and grows rapidly, sometimes in less than an hour The center may become black and die The skin may break open and ooze fluid Severe pain Other symptoms may include: Fever Chills Sweating Nausea Weakness Lightheadedness or dizziness Risk factors for necrotizing fasciitis This type of infection, although rare, can happen to anyone at any time.
These are people who: Share personal items, such as towels, razors, etc. Have depressed immune systems, such as living with HIV or cancer, or who are receiving treatment that can lower the immune system, such as chemotherapy or steroids. Are very young or old Are hospitalized or in close quarters, such as prisons and dormitories Patients in hospitals or healthcare facilities can contract an infection through various ways, such as: — Surgical wounds — Puncture wound intravenous, injection, biopsy needle — Urinary catheters Good hygiene always and quick response to injuries may help reduce the risk of developing an infection.
By cleaning out wounds as soon as they are noticed, you again reduce the risk. Acne can also allow infection. Doctors can often diagnose necrotizing fasciitis by taking a tissue sample and sending it to a lab for testing. They may also look at blood work and use imaging scans, such as CT or MRI scans, to inspect the damaged area. The infection can be difficult to detect in the early stages.
If necrotizing fasciitis starts deep under the skin, the person may not receive an accurate diagnosis for some time. If the doctor does suspect necrotizing fasciitis, they will give the person intravenous antibiotic therapy immediately. The person will stay in the intensive care unit ICU during treatment. Necrotizing fasciitis spreads rapidly and can cause extensive tissue death, so prompt treatment is crucial.
Early detection minimizes the need for the surgical removal of skin and soft tissue, and it reduces the risk of toxic shock. Sometimes, emergency surgery may be necessary to remove infected tissue. This surgery can stop the infection from spreading. In advanced cases, the person may need limb amputation surgery. When doctors are confident that they have treated the infection, the recovery process involves extended physical therapy and long-term psychological and emotional healing.
The healthcare team will help care for the wound. People with a large open wound may need skin grafting or reconstruction surgery. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment can be a beneficial supplementary therapy for these individuals.
Experts have linked certain streptococcal strains to a poor outlook. The infection mostly occurs in people with wounds following surgery or injury. People can prevent skin infections through proper wound care, which is essential no matter how minor the wound. Although necrotizing fasciitis is rare, people should see a doctor immediately if they experience early symptoms of wound infection after injury or surgery. These include:. The bacteria that cause necrotizing fasciitis can be passed from person to person through close contact, such as touching the wound of the infected person.
But this rarely happens unless the person who is exposed to the bacteria has an open wound, chickenpox, or an impaired immune system. The symptoms often start suddenly after an injury. You may need medical care right away if you have pain that gets better over 24 to 36 hours and then suddenly gets worse.
The pain may be much worse than you would expect from the size of the wound or injury. You may also have:. The infection may spread rapidly. It quickly can become life-threatening. You may go into shock and have damage to skin, fat, and the tissue covering the muscles. This damage is called gangrene. Necrotizing fasciitis can lead to organ failure and death. The doctor will diagnose your infection based on how suddenly your symptoms started and how quickly the infection is spreading.
The infected tissue may be tested for bacteria. You also may need X-rays , a CT scan , or an MRI to look for injury to your organs or to find out how much the infection has spread. Early treatment of necrotizing fasciitis is critical.
The sooner treatment begins, the more likely you will recover from the infection and avoid serious complications, such as limb amputation or death. You may be treated in the intensive care unit ICU at the hospital. Necrotizing fasciitis is very rare.
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