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While Necrotizing Fasciitis is not spread "through the air," casual touching
or through feces, it is spread by direct contact through blood and body fluids
through cuts, open wounds, scratches, etc., among other special situations,
including surgical procedures.
One of the problems regarding information about the disease, whenever
anyone gets a sore throat, they might think they have it.
PREVENTION
Not all Necrotizing Fasciitis can be prevented, with no vaccine available. It
remains unclear why Group "A" Streptococcal bacteria causes conditions
such as sore throat and minor skin infections in some people and
Necrotizing Fasciitis in others, although there are indications people whose
immune systems have dropped are at risk.
LOWERING RISK OF INFECTION
Washing hands often
Not sharing personal items, eating utensils, toothbrushes, water bottles,
etc
Avoid close oral contact with people who have sore throat
Having areas of unexplained redness, swelling with associated pain
assessed by a doctor, particularly if it appears to be spreading
Cleaning all skin cuts or abrasions promptly
Reporting any sore throat that doesn't go away to the doctor
RECOGNIZING SYMPTOMS
--trauma of some type (however slight) will probably have occurred
--you begin to feel some annoying discomfort in the general region of the
trauma
--the pain described gets worse, the area more tender. This is one of the
major things to keep in mind. The
pain one feels is out of proportion to the injury.
--flu-like symptoms occur, such as vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration,
general malaise, weakness, muscle
pain, and fever
--tissue is swollen and there may or may not be redness noted. The area
will feel hot and very painful
--improvement of any of the above conditions does not take place, but
rather they worsen
--urination becomes less frequent (as the system dehydrates)
--a sunburn type rash may appear over the entire body, due to toxins
released from the Strep. This may or
may not be present
--large, dark boil- like blister(s) may or may not form in the affected area
--shock can ensue
When seeking medical help, and perhaps calling these symptoms to the
attention of medical personnel
will safeguard the patient against a delayed diagnosis if indeed the
symptoms are those of Necrotizing
Fasciitis.
Physicians at Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center, who reportedly
diagnosed the current case, will evaluate any person with a problem. Their
staff is well aware of symptoms and protocol.
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