The way in which necrotising fasciitis is caused is not fully understood. Some people are more at risk of developing the condition than others, although in reality anyone can contract the infection.
Aetiology of necrotising fasciitis
Medical articles and reports will often refer to the ‘aetiology’ of a disease. Aetiology means the cause (or set of causes) of a disease, illness or condition. Therefore the aetiology of necrotising fasciitis simply means the reason for which a patient has developed the bacterial infection.
According to an article in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the aetiology of necrotising fasciitis is not fully understood. However, there is something that links necrotising fasciitis patients, and that is a recent history of trauma.
History of trauma
When doctors talk about ‘trauma’, they simply mean any type of physical injury. This might be something very notable, such as a large surgical wound. Alternatively it might be something extremely trivial, such as an insect bite, scratch or cut. The individual in question may not even be aware that such trauma has been sustained.
Having a recent history of trauma makes sense in cases of necrotising fasciitis, as the injury gives the bacteria an opportunity to enter the body. It does not matter how small the wound may be, the bacteria can pass through the injury, reaching the body’s deep tissues. There the bacteria reproduce, secreting a toxin that kills the tissue.
Other pre-disposing factors
There are other factors that increase the risk of necrotising fasciitis developing. For example, necrotising fasciitis is more common in:
- Male patients
- Patients who have pre-exiting conditions
- Patients with a condition that weaken the immune system, such as old age, established renal failure, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes and drug misuse
Necrotising fasciitis does not seem to arise more in one age group than the other.
Failure to recognise necrotising fasciitis
It is thought that around 500 people in the UK will develop necrotising fasciitis every year. This is a relatively small number of patients, and consequently medical practitioners may not be familiar with the condition. This can cause serious problems as necrotising fasciitis must be treated without delay if life-threatening complications are to be prevented.
Sadly a lack of medical knowledge can contribute towards a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of necrotising fasciitis. If this causes a patient to suffer injuries that could have been prevented with earlier medical intervention, there may be grounds for medical negligence claim.
Contact us today to find out more about claiming compensation for necrotising fasciitis.
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