Necrotising fasciitis is a bacterial infection that may be mistaken for other conditions. In this article we explore differential diagnoses of necrotising fasciitis, explaining how the delay in diagnosis may affect the patient and whether there could be a case of medical negligence.
Necrotising fasciitis differential diagnoses
The differential diagnoses of necrotising fasciitis include:
- Cellulitis
- Flu
- Gas gangrene
- Toxic shock syndrome
- Hernia
- Testicular torsion (if the infection starts in the testes/male genitals)
- Orchitis (if the infection starts in the testes/male genitals)
- Acute epididymitis (if the infection starts in the testes/male genitals)
Most commonly necrotising fasciitis will be mistaken for cellulitis or the flu.
Delay in diagnosis
When necrotising fasciitis is mistakenly diagnosed as another condition, it will create a delay in treatment. Indeed, the patient may either be discharged from hospital, or will undergo treatment for the wrong illness.
This will be very dangerous as necrotising fasciitis is a fast-moving infection. It takes just days for life-threatening complications to arise. Any delay in treatment will put the patient at serious risk, and could significantly alter the eventual outcome.
Indeed, a delay of just two days could mean that the patient suffers an extensive area of necrotic tissue. All of this tissue will ultimately need to be surgically removed. This could leave a terrible defect and could also affect function – for example, if a limb has to be amputated.
The infection may also spread to the bloodstream. The bacteria will travel around the body in the blood, creating a condition called sepsis. Sepsis can lead to multi-system organ failure and death if not caught in time.
Therefore a misdiagnosis or wrong diagnosis will be very troubling and could cause the patient serious harm.
Does a delay amount to medical negligence?
It is possible that a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of necrotising fasciitis will amount to medical negligence. However, every situation varies and it will depend entirely upon the circumstances of the case.
A solicitor who specialises in medical negligence claims – and specifically, necrotising fasciitis claims – will be able to tell you whether there is a case of medical negligence. Normally there will be grounds for a claim if treatment was delayed due to medical error and this caused a patient unnecessary harm.
Speak to a solicitor today
To find out if you or your loved one could claim compensation for necrotising fasciitis, please get in touch with our team of solicitors today.
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