Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF)

 What is Necrotizing Fasciitis?

Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF) is an extremely rare but lethal flesh-eating disease. Most NF cases are caused by bacteria, even though there is a slim chance where it could be fungal-caused. There are 4 types of NF, Type I, II, III and IV/Other. This will be elaborated below. Only 0.0004% or 4 out of 1,000,000 people in the US and 0.001% or 1 per 100,000 in Europe fall victim to this, however, according to the CDC, the death rate can be 20-40%, especially with STSS (Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome). STSS was introduced in the last article, so go check it out after reading this. CDC Data shows that 9000-11500 cases of NF are diagnosed every year, with 1000-1800 deaths every year.

Types of NF:

- Type I: Type I NF describes NF that is caused polymicrobially. Poly means many, and microbial means microorganism, so polymicrobial-caused NF means that there are more than one bacteria involved in the infection. An example of a Type I infection would be Staphylococcus Aureus and Haemophilus.

- Type II: Type II NF describes monomicrobial NF. Mono means one/single, and microbial as said above means microorganism, so monomicrobial-caused NF means single bacteria caused NF. This is mostly caused by a Group A Strep infection or MRSA infection, and is the most common among the four.

- Type III: Type III NF is caused by Clostridia. This is usually caused by Clostridia Perfringens, but it could also be caused by Clostridia Septicum. Clostridia is a disease that causes gas gangrene to develop. 

- Type IV / Other: Type IV NF is caused by other organisms and fungi. The most common Type IV NF is caused by marine organisms, mostly with them getting into cuts and open wounds.

How is NF transmitted?

NF isn't contagious, nor is it communicable. It is only transmitted when there is a wound, and usually it has to be a deep one. It is also very rare, so there is a low chance of transmission from human to human. However, this doesn't mean it isn't possible. If you have a small wound that is not cared for properly or someone that has NF touches your open wound, there is a chance the disease could develop there.

Symptoms:

- Extreme pain at the wound

- Redness, warmness and swelling at wound

- Fever

- (Pus)

- (Blisters/ulcers)

- (Fatigue and dizzy)

- (Diarrhea)

Consequences:

If left untreated, the situation and infection would get worse, and eventually cause shock, sepsis, organ failure and death. 

Treatment:

The treatment of necrotizing fasciitis is surgery and antibiotics. Usually in a serious case of NF, removal of the infected tissue or amputations have to happen to remove the bacteria from the body. In some cases, people have their whole limbs chopped off just to stop the spread.

Prevention:

The best prevention for NF is to clean your wounds thoroughly so bacteria don't get into your wound. Avoid going out to the sea if you have a wound, especially a deep one. Avoid touching your wound before washing your hands, or else bacteria can sneak in.