Necrotising fasciitis is not a type of bacteria. It is, however, a type of bacterial infection. It is a serious disease which must be treated without delay if fatal complications are to be avoided.
What bacteria cause necrotising fasciitis?
‘Necrotising fasciitis’ is not the name of a type of bacteria. Instead, it is a type of bacterial infection. Necrotising fasciitis can be caused by different types of bacteria, including:
- Group A Streptococcus bacteria
- Klebsiella
- Clostridium
- E. coli
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Aeromonas hydrophila
Most commonly necrotising fasciitis is caused by the Group A Streptococcus bacteria. It happens when the bacteria get into the body through a break in the skin. The break in the skin may be so small that the affected individual is completely unaware of the injury.
Once inside the body the bacteria will travel to the deepest layer of tissue, called the subcutaneous tissue. There the bacteria will reproduce, releasing a toxin into the surrounding area. The nearby tissue will break down, which will in turn disrupt the blood supply, which will in turn cause the tissue to deteriorate further.
The tissue will consequently necrose, meaning it is effectively dead. Once this happens the necrotic tissue cannot be saved.
Treating necrotising fasciitis
Necrotising fasciitis is a rare but severe bacterial infection. It must be treated with emergency surgical debridement to remove all the dead tissue. This must be carried out within hours of the onset of symptoms, or fatal complications could occur.
This is because the bacteria can easily get into the blood stream. The bacteria will then travel in the bloodstream, spreading across the body. The immune system will go into overdrive, sending white blood cells to fight the infection off.
As the white blood cells fight the infection, the tissue will become inflamed. This is a normal side-effect. However, because the bacteria will have spread across the body, inflammation will arise across the body, distorting the blood supply. The organs will then become deficient in oxygen and the patient’s blood pressure will drop to a dangerously low level. This is called septic shock.
Septic shock as a result of necrotising fasciitis can lead to multi-organ failure and, eventually, death. It is therefore vital that necrotising fasciitis is diagnosed and treated immediately.
Failure to diagnose and treat
If doctors fail to diagnose and treat necrotising fasciitis, causing a patient to suffer fatal (or near fatal) complications, there could be grounds for a compensation claim. Contact us today to find out more.
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