If necrotising fasciitis is not treated quickly enough, the infection will get into the bloodstream and travel across the body.
Necrotising fasciitis infection
Necrotising fasciitis is an infection of the deep tissues and fascia (connective tissue). It occurs when bacteria get into the body and travel to the subcutaneous tissue. Once there the bacteria multiply.
The process of reproduction causes a toxin to be released into the body and this damages the surrounding tissue. The blood supply to the tissue is then disrupted and this damages the tissue even further. The tissue will become gangrenous – meaning it is deficient in oxygen – and will eventually become necrotic (dead).
The bacteria will spread to an increasingly large area of tissue. This happens because without treatment the bacteria will continue to reproduce. The area of infection will therefore expand as the bacteria travel throughout the tissue.
Bloodstream infection necrotising fasciitis
As the bacteria spread through the tissue, it is likely that at some point the bacteria will reach the bloodstream. A bloodstream infection is commonly called septicaemia.
Once in the bloodstream the bacteria will travel in the blood as it moves around the body. This means that the infection will quickly spread all across the body.
When necrotising fasciitis gets into the bloodstream, the immune system will go into overdrive in an attempt to kill of the infection. White blood cells will be sent across the body to fight off the bacteria.
However, by-products of this process are inflammation and blood clots. Because the infection is present throughout the body, this will result in inflammation and blood clots across the body. When this happens, a patient is said to have sepsis.
Sepsis is a very serious condition and claims around 37,000 lives in the UK every year. It disrupts the blood supply to the tissue and organs, leading to dangerously low blood pressure and multi-organ system failure.
Preventing a bloodstream infection
Because of the serious nature of sepsis, necrotising fasciitis must be treated before the bacteria reach the bloodstream. To do this, medical practitioners must first diagnose the condition accurately. They must then provide immediate treatment in the form of intravenous antibiotics and debridement surgery.
From the moment the infection arises, it can take just days for the bacteria to reach the bloodstream and develop into sepsis. This means it is absolutely vital that there are no delays in the diagnosis and treatment of necrotising fasciitis.
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