Necrotizing fasciitis is an infection caused by bacteria (as opposed to infections caused by a virus or fungi).
Name of necrotizing fasciitis bacteria
There are many different types of bacteria – some promote health and some make us unwell. If the immune system is unable to control the ‘bad’ bacteria, an infection will arise.
Different kinds of bacteria cause different infections. For example, the campylobacter bacteria is the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK. However, that is not to say it is the only cause – other bacteria can be responsible for food poisoning as well.
Group A Streptococcus bacteria
The same with true with necrotizing fasciitis. There are many types of bacteria that can potentially lead to necrotizing fasciitis. The most common is the Group A Streptococcus bacteria, often abbreviated to ‘GAS’.
Group A Streptococcus bacteria are a common cause of infection as they live on the skin, particularly in the throat. The bacteria is therefore responsible for mild ‘strep’ throat infections suffered by many every day.
But if the Group A Strep manage to get into the body’s deep tissue, it can cause an invasive infection such as necrotizing fasciitis.
This happens because bacteria normally exist on the surface of the skin. If there is a break in the skin, the bacteria will be able to get inside the body, travelling to the deep tissues. This break in the skin can be so small that it is not even visible, such as a needle prick wound or a paper cut. It can also be an obvious injury such as a surgical cut or graze.
Other types of bacteria
Group A Streptococcus bacteria are not the only type of bacteria to cause necrotizing fasciitis. Other bacteria can result in the condition, including:
- Klebsiella
- Clostridium
- Escherichia coli (E.coli)
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Aeromonas hydrophilia
Diagnosing the bacterial infection
Whatever type of bacteria causes the necrotizing fasciitis infection, it will produce the same results – tissue that becomes gangrenous and necrotic (dead).
To stop the spread of tissue necrosis, doctors must diagnose and treat the infection immediately. During the diagnostic stage it will be important to ascertain the type of bacteria responsible for the infection, as this will ensure the correct type of antibiotic is given. Until then, the patient should be given broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Necrotising fasciitis compensation
If medical practitioners do not diagnose necrotising fasciitis quickly enough, or do not provide adequate treatment, there may be a case of medical negligence. Contact us to find out more.
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