Necrotizing Fasciitis (Flesh-Eating Bacteria)

Home Treatment

A person with necrotizing fasciitis needs prompt medical attention in a hospital. Seek medical treatment immediately if you develop symptoms of this illness. Between 90 and 200 cases a year occur in Canada, and about 3 in 10 people (30%) who develop necrotizing fasciitis die from the infection.^{1, 2} Early treatment is critical for successful recovery.

Prevention

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare type of infection. Experts do not know exactly why bacteria that usually cause more mild diseases, such as strep throat or impetigo, also can cause a severe infection such as necrotizing fasciitis.

Necrotizing fasciitis usually occurs when the bacteria enter the body through a cut or sore. In very rare cases, the bacteria can be spread from one person to another through close contact such as kissing. People who live with an infected person or who touch the mouth, nose, or pus from a wound of someone with necrotizing fasciitis have a greater risk of becoming infected.

If you have been in close personal contact with someone who develops necrotizing fasciitis, your doctor may recommend that you take an antibiotic medicine to help reduce your chances of getting an infection. ⁴ If you do develop any symptoms of an infection after being in close contact with someone who has necrotizing fasciitis, see your doctor right away.

Most people who get necrotizing fasciitis are in good health before they become infected. You can lower your risk of infection if you:

• Wash your hands often.
• Keep all wounds clean. This includes cuts, scrapes, burns, sores caused by chicken pox or shingles, insect or animal bites, and surgical wounds.
• Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, swelling, pus, heat, or redness near the wound or fever of 38°C (100°F) or higher with no other obvious cause. If signs of infection appear, seek medical attention promptly.
• If you recently strained a muscle or sprained a joint and develop fever, chills, and severe pain, seek medical care immediately. These may be signs of deep soft tissue infection.
• If you have severe pain, swelling, and fever, do not treat yourself with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. If you have developed a soft tissue infection, these drugs may temporarily reduce the symptoms without treating the infection and may delay how quickly you seek proper medical care.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Ralph Poore	Last Updated: December 7, 2007
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Dennis L. Stevens, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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