Flesh-eating disease (necrotizing fasciitis) is very rare. This bacteria destroys tissues under the skin, causing gangrene or necrosis (tissue death), and spreads rapidly. 30% of cases are fatal, and it has the capability to claim a life in as little as 12-24 hours. There are two main factors in one's ability to contract this disease : 1. The virulence(ability to cause disease) of the bacteria 2. The susceptibility (ability of a person's immune system to fight infection) of the person who becomes acquires this bacteria Diabetes, arteriosclerosis, immunosuppression, kidney disease, malnutrition, and obesity are connected with a poor prognosis. There are two types of necrotizing fasciitis. Type one is caused by anaerobic bacteria (bacteria not requiring oxygen to live and multiply), with or without the presence of aerobic bacteria (bacteria requiring the presence of oxygen to live and multiply). Type one is more common in the chest, abdomen and genital area. Type two, also called hemolytic streptococcal gangrene, is caused by a strain of streptococcal bacteria. Although it may occur anywhere on the body, the arms and legs are most often affected. In almost all cases, a a skin injury precedes the disease. As bacteria floursihes beneath the skin's surface, they produce toxins. The toxins destroy superficial fascia (fibrous layer of tissue that lies between the deepest layer of skin and the subcutaneous fat), subcutaneous fat, and deep fascia(fibrous layer of tissue that envelopes muscles). In some cases, the overlying dermis and the underlying muscle are also affected. People who have any skin injury should rigorously attempt to avoid people who are infected with streptococci bacteria (which is one type of necrotizing fasciitis), a bacteria that causes strep throat. Have any areas of unexplained redness, pain, or swelling examined by your doctor, especially if the affected area seems to be getting larger.

The flesh eating disease or necrotizing fasciitis is a rare form of the strep bacteria. Group A streptococcus, or "GAS", is a bacterium often found in the throat and on the skin. People may carry Group A Streptococci (GAS) in the throat or on the skin and have no symptoms of illness. Most GAS infections are relatively mild illnesses such as "strep throat," or impetigo. On rare occasions, these bacteria can cause other severe and even life-threatening diseases. These bacteria are spread through direct contact with mucus from the nose or throat of persons who are infected or through contact with infected wounds or sores on the skin. Ill persons, such as those who have strep throat or skin infections, are most likely to spread the infection. Persons who carry the bacteria but have no symptoms are much less contagious. Treating an infected person with an antibiotic for 24 hours or longer generally eliminates their ability to spread the bacteria. However, it is important to complete the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed. It is not likely that household items like plates, cups, or toys spread these bacteria. Severe, sometimes life-threatening, GAS disease may occur when bacteria get into parts of the body where bacteria usually are not found, such as the blood, muscle, or the lungs. These infections are termed "invasive GAS disease." Two of the most severe, but least common, forms of invasive GAS disease are necrotizing fasciitis and Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome. Necrotizing fasciitis (occasionally described by the media as "the flesh-eating bacteria") destroys muscles, fat, and skin tissue. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), causes blood pressure to drop rapidly and organs (e.g., kidney, liver, lungs) to fail. STSS is not the same as the "toxic shock syndrome" frequently associated with tampon usage. About 20% of patients with necrotizing fasciitis and more than half with STSS die. About 10%-15% of patients with other forms of invasive group A streptococcal disease die. About 9,400 cases of invasive GAS disease occurred in the United States in 1999. Of these, about 300 were STSS and 600 were necrotizing fasciitis. In contrast, there are several million cases of strep throat and impetigo each year. Invasive GAS infections occur when the bacteria get past the defenses of the person who is infected. This may occur when a person has sores or other breaks in the skin that allow the bacteria to get into the tissue, or when the person’s ability to fight off the infection is decreased because of chronic illness or an illness that affects the immune system. Also, some virulent strains of GAS are more likely to cause severe disease than others. Few people who come in contact with GAS will develop invasive GAS disease. Most people will have a throat or skin infection, and some may have no symptoms at all. Although healthy people can get invasive GAS disease, people with chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and kidney dialysis, and those who use medications such as steroids have a higher risk. The spread of all types of GAS infection can be reduced by good hand washing, especially after coughing and sneezing and before preparing foods or eating. Persons with sore throats should be seen by a doctor who can perform tests to find out whether the illness is strep throat. If the test result shows strep throat, the person should stay home from work, school, or day care until 24 hours after taking an antibiotic. All wounds should be kept clean and watched for possible signs of infection such as redness, swelling, drainage, and pain at the wound site. A person with signs of an infected wound, especially if fever occurs, should seek medical care. It is not necessary for all persons exposed to someone with an invasive group A strep infection (i.e. necrotizing fasciitis or strep toxic shock syndrome) to receive antibiotic therapy to prevent infection. However, in certain circumstances, antibiotic therapy may be appropriate. That decision should be made after consulting with your doctor. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/Necrotizing-Fasciitis-Flesh-Eating-Bacteria-Topic-Overview http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/flesh-eating_disease.jsp http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/flesh-chair_e.html http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=61933 http://www.nnff.org/

1) "Necrotizing fasciitis or fasciitis necroticans, commonly known as “flesh-eating bacteria,” is a rare infection of the deeper layers of skin and subcutaneous tissues, easily spreading across the fascial plane within the subcutaneous tissue. Many types of bacteria can cause necrotizing fasciitis, of which Group A streptococcus is the most common cause." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flesh-eating_disease 2) "Streptococcus pyogenes, or "strep," is the most common cause of this infection. [...] If you were taking care of someone with necrotizing fasciitis, it would be important to know whether the person's disease was due to strep or if it was a mixed infection. If it was due to strep, then I hope you used standard precautions in caring for someone with an open wound. You should have worn gloves and washed your hands after touching the person. However, even if you did come in contact with a virulent strain of strep, you are not at that much risk. Most people who become colonized with these "hot" strains do not develop any serious disease. You may develop a minor infection such as strep throat or cellulitis, but necrotizing fasciitis developing in health-care workers caring for patients is rather uncommon." Source and further information: http://health.ivillage.com/infectious/0,,6g93,00.html 3) "The NF bacteria enters the body through an opening, or cut, in the skin. Weakened skin, such as a bruise, blister or abrasion, can also be an entry point. In rare cases, there were no identifiable points of entry. Necrotizing Fasciitis patients are not themselves contagious. Most commonly it is transferred through respiratory droplets or direct contact with secretions from someone carrying Streptococcus A. Example: Someone carrying Strep A sneezes or coughs, and another person picks up the bacteria directly onto an open wound or cut." Source and further information: http://www.epcc.edu/faculty/glendah/powerpoints/Necrotizing%20Fasciitis.ppt 4) Further information: http://www.bact.wisc.edu/Microtextbook/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=186&allpages=1&theme=Printer https://www.healthforums.com/library/1,1258,article~5083,00.html