Necrotizing fasciitis

Necrotizing fasciitis is a serious but rare infection of the deeper layers of skin and subcutaneous tissues (fascia). Many types of bacteria can cause necrotizing fasciitis (eg. Group A streptococcus, Vibrio vulnificus, Clostridium perfringens, Bacteroides fragilis), of which Group A streptococcus is the most common cause.

Prognosis

This disease is one of the fastest-spreading infections known, and tissue may be consumed at a rate of 3 cm per hour. For this reason, it is popularly called the flesh-eating disease and, although rare, became well-known to the public in the 1990s. Even under world best-care practices today, the prognosis is a mortality rate of around 20 percent. Mortality is nearly 100 percent if not properly treated. Correct diagnosis and early treatment of this disease is therefore of extreme importance.

Related Topics:
1990s - Prognosis

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~