Where did necrotizing fasciitis originate?
“It is a bacterial infection caused commonly by group A Strep bacteria, which is the same bacteria that causes common Strep throat. Usually easily killed by antibiotics, sometimes a very strong variety of Strep occurs. This is the one that causes the life-threatening cases and is known as the “flesh-eating” bacteria. NF can also be caused by other bacteria, or a mixture of bacteria. The bacteria destroys soft tissue at the subcutaneous level, and often is coupled with toxic shock syndrome, both are deadly alone, together they are even more so. If muscle is destroyed, it is necrotizing myositis.” (www.nnft.org) The CDC is always a good site for any infectious disease. I cared for a couple patients with this disease. It is not pretty. The patient required skin removal from the entire right side of his body. On a weekend, when the surgical team were not avail,. our resident had to trim more skin (8×12″) piece from his upper thigh. The smell of burning skin is very overwhelming. It was the
