Georgia woman learns toll of flesh-eating bacteria.

AJC ^

[Reagan69]

I feel really dumb. I guess it is MRSA, kind of run amok.

My husb and I are both in medical fields. He is exposed in a hospital on a daily basis and has in fact, had MRSA 3 times. Each time was successfully treated with strong antibiotics.

That's why I didn't think they were the same, he never had any flesh-eating issues.

Scary stuff.

[kcvl]

Over 70% of cases are recorded in patients with one of the following clinical situations: immunosuppression, diabetes, alcoholism/drug abuse, malignancies, and chronic systemic diseases. It occasionally occurs in people with an apparently normal general condition.

The infection begins locally at a site of trauma, which may be severe (such as the result of surgery), minor, or even non-apparent. Patients usually complain of intense pain that may seem excessive given the external appearance of the skin. With progression of the disease, often within hours, tissue becomes swollen. Diarrhea and vomiting are also common symptoms.

In the early stages, signs of inflammation may not be apparent if the bacteria are deep within the tissue. If they are not deep, signs of inflammation, such as redness and swollen or hot skin, develop very quickly. Skin color may progress to violet, and blisters may form, with subsequent necrosis (death) of the subcutaneous tissues.

Furthermore, patients with necrotizing fasciitis typically have a fever and appear very ill. Mortality rates have been noted as high as 73 percent if left untreated. Without surgery and medical assistance, such as antibiotics, the infection will rapidly progress and will eventually lead to death.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrotizing_fasciitis

[Eva]

They say that beating it, or controlling it depends on whether you have a strong immune system or not. That’s why drug addicts are so subject to it.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Prayers for her.