necrotizing fasciitis

infection that results in the death of the body's soft tissue

Key facts

Other names: Flesh-eating bacteria, flesh-eating bacteria syndrome, necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI), fasciitis necroticans
Pronunciation: / ˈ n ɛ k r ə ˌ t aɪ z ɪ ŋ ˌ f æ ʃ i ˈ aɪ t ɪ s / or / ˌ f æ s -/
Specialty: Infectious disease , emergency medicine , general surgery , orthopedics
Symptoms: Severe pain , fever , purple colored skin in the affected area
Usual onset: Sudden, spreads rapidly
Causes: Multiple types of bacteria , occasional fungus
Risk factors: Poor immune function such as from diabetes or cancer , obesity , alcoholism , intravenous drug use , peripheral artery disease
Diagnostic method: Based on symptoms, medical imaging
Differential diagnosis: Cellulitis , pyomyositis , gas gangrene , toxic shock syndrome or toxic shock-like syndrome , pyoderma gangrenosum , deep vein thrombosis , Mucormycosis , brown recluse spider bite
Prevention: Wound care , handwashing

Article

Blackish discoloration with vesicle formation on the thigh in a case of necrotizing fasciitis Necrotizing fasciitis (NF), also known as flesh-eating disease or flesh-eating bacteria, is an infection that kills the body's soft tissue. It is a serious disease that begins and spreads quickly. It is sometimes incorrectly labeled flesh-eating virus. Symptoms include red or purple or black skin, swelling, severe pain, fever, and vomiting. The most commonly affected areas are the limbs and perineum.

Bacterial infection is by far the most common cause of necrotizing fasciitis. Despite being called a "flesh-eating disease", bacteria do not eat human tissue. Rather, they release toxins that cause tissue death. Typically, the infection enters the body through a break in the skin, such as a cut or burn. Risk factors include recent trauma or surgery and a weakened immune system due to diabetes or cancer, obesity, alcoholism, intravenous drug use, and peripheral artery disease. It does not usually spread between people. The disease is classified into four types, depending on the infecting organisms. Medical imaging is often helpful to confirm the diagnosis.