Flesh Eating Disease
Is On The Increase.

Flesh Eating Disease, or more correctly "Necrotizing Fasciitis", is a virulent infection that spreads extremely rapidly through the deep layers of skin and subcutaneous tissues along fascial planes (the connective tissues around muscles, blood vessels and nerves).

The massive release of toxins can cause tissue death, putrefaction of skin and muscle, rapid spread of bruising, sweats, chills, fever, nausea, and ultimately organ failure, shock and death.

Around 2,000-3,000 Americans die each year from the disease which infects up to 15,000 people in the U.S.A.

In reality, Flesh Eating Disease is not all that common when you consider "Sepsis kills 258,000 people in the United States alone each year... one person dies every 2 minutes. And globally 20-30 million cases of sepsis occur each year." (Ref: Sepsis Alliance/ Orlando Health World Sepsis day 09/14/2012).

*Sepsis: a potentially life threatening complication of infection caused by bacteria or micro-organisms invading the body... from the Greek word meaning "putrefaction and decay".

Flesh Eating Disease is however, one of the most horrifying and frightening examples of disease.

Published on May 23, 2012 by CNN.
Flesh-eating bacteria survivor describes her ordeal.

What Causes Flesh Eating Disease?

The main culprits in Necrotizing Fasciitis are the pathogens Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Bacteroides fragilis, and Aeromonas hydrophila (ref: Wikipedia).

* Of these, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become an increasing problem over the past decade. The 2005 Journal of the American Medical Association reported around 18,650 deaths and 95,000 infections in the USA alone from this pathogen. However, the 4th Global MRSA Summit (held Chicago September 29 2012) claimed much under-reporting and incorrect diagnosis is occurring and that over 100,000 true MRSA deaths occur in the US each year... and castigated the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for not providing data since 2005.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Over 70% of Flesh Eating Disease occurs in people who's health is compromised in some way:

• Those with a suppressed immune system,
  
• Diabetics,
  
• Heavy smokers, drinkers, drug abusers, & obese people,
  
• People with chronic systemic diseases,
  
• Post-surgery infections due to the increased number of people undergoing surgery these days (for everything from joint replacements to cosmetic proceedures).
  

However, the other 30% can occur through minor cuts or wounds, insect bites, or sometimes for no apparent reason in quite healthy, young individuals. Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman reportedly contracted the disease from a spider-bite in 2011 (ref:Wikipedia).

Treatment of Necrotizing Fasciitis.

1. Immediate treatment with high doses of antibiotics (e.g. penicillin, vancomycin, clindamycin, often used in combination).
   
   
2. Aggressive surgical removal of the infected flesh, often involving amputation of limbs and skin grafts.
   
   
3. Occasionally, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber is used (pressurized oxygen to fight infection and help heal tissues).
   
   

The great threat now is the emergence of antibiotic resistant "super bugs". The over use of antibiotics in hospitals, over-prescribing in general medical practice, and the abuse of antibiotics in animal farming, now leave us more and more vulnerable:

The crucial thing to remember with Necrotizing Fasciitis is that time is of the essence because it spreads so quickly. This disease is known to have killed within 24 hours of being detected.

So when it comes to the life and health of you and your family don't delay in seeking medical advice and treatment.

Uploaded by nabilebraheim on Jan 13, 2011... Prof. Nabil A. Ebraheim,
Dept. Orthopedic Surgery, University of Toledo Medical Center.