Flesh-Eating Bacteria Kills Two In Maryland

Third Case Occurred Two Years Ago

February 7, 2003

OCEAN PINES, Md. -- Health officials in Worcester County, Md., said two people in the northern part of the county have been killed by a rare "flesh-eating" bacteria since early last month.

Health officer Debbie Goeller said health officials aren't calling it an outbreak, although the two cases -- and a third two years ago -- occurred in the same general area.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the bacteria is called necrotizing fasciitis. It is an infection of fatty tissues and muscles that spreads rapidly and is caused by many other types of bacteria.

Goeller is not revealing the identities of the victims. The third case involved an Ocean Pines man in 2001. He survived but had to have a leg amputated.

Goeller said the two recent cases involve different types of the bacteria, but one of them had the same type of bacteria that was involved in the 2001 case.

http://www.local6.com/sh/health/stories/health-196371820030207-090244.html

Symptoms

Unfortunately necrotizing fasciitis often has flu-like symptoms, so initially, the natural assumption is for the individual to believe they have the flu. Often, NF occurs in otherwise healthy, active individuals. No major trauma is necessary. In fact, the condition often occurs following minor trauma, or even a bruise or abrasion. As mentioned above, it can occur after surgery.

Perhaps the most troubling and frightening aspect of NF is its remarkable ability mimic minor afflictions -- which fools both the patient and the doctor. Misdiagnosis is very common, which, in light of the speed and deadliness of the infection, often has severe consequences, such as multiple limb amputation and too often, death. In post-surgical patients, NF often mimics common post-operative symptoms such as severe pain, inflammation, fever and nausea, which also thwarts a timely diagnosis.

Education and awareness by the general public as well as the medical community in recognizing symptoms is critical to saving lives. The following depicts general symptoms of NF as the disease advances:

* Trauma of some type (however slight) will probably have occurred (cut, bruise, scratch, surgery).
* Victim begins to feel an annoying discomfort in the general region of the trauma (in the case of NNFF co-founder Donna, she felt the type of pain one feels after working out a little too hard in her upper arm, the day after getting a small cut on her finger).
* 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 to the touch, and very painful.
* Conditions continue to worsen.
* Urination becomes less frequent (as the system dehydrates)
* Blood pressure drops severely, and heartbeat is rapid.
* A sunburn type rash may appear over the entire body, due to toxins released from the bacteria. This may or may not be present.
* Large, dark boil-like blister(s) may or may not form in the affected area
* Toxic shock can ensue as the body's organs shut down.

It is important that the patient report all symptoms to his or her physician to ensure a swift and accurate diagnosis!

http://www.nnff.org/nnff_symptoms.htm


Who is At Risk?

Keep in mind that ANYONE can contract NF, not just the higher risk groups we list!

The higher risk groups for contracting NF will appear to vary drastically from each other, however, there are a underlying commonalities such as a compromised immune sytem resulting in an inability to fight off infection. Malnutrition -- which renders the body ineffective in battling invasive infections, is also a common factor. Higher risk groups include:

* Individuals with recent cuts, scratches, injuries
* Individuals with recent surgical procedures
* Alcohol Abusers
* Children with Chicken Pox
* Drug Abusers
* Diabetics
* Elderly
* Immunosuppressed individuals
* Obese
* Peripheral vascular disease sufferers
* Severely Chronically ill individuals
* Women giving birth

For More Information

* Please visit the websites provided in our links section.
* See photographs, survivors stories, and dedications on our site.
* Purchase our book, Surviving the Flesh-Eating Bacteria, which is a comprehensive resources regarding NF.


NNFF would like to thank Dr. Steven Triesenberg, MD (Infectious Disease Specialist) in Grand Rapids, Michigan for his assistance in compiling this information.

http://www.nnff.org/nnff_higherrisk.htm