Meat-eating bacteria, the cause of a rare infection that you must know

The flesh-eating bacteria can cause severe infections, leading to amputation or death. Although these cases are rare, it is important for you to know the ins and outs of these bacteria in order to avoid infection caused by them.

What are flesh-eating bacteria?

Meat-eating bacteria is the name for several types of bacteria that can cause necrotizing fasciitis. Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe bacterial infection that can spread rapidly and destroy the muscles, skin, and underlying tissue. The term necrotizing itself refers to something that causes the death of body tissues.

The most common type of bacteria that causes this infection is Streptococcus group A. This group of bacteria can cause skin infections and rare and severe diseases including syndromes. toxic shock. However, there are other bacteria that can cause necrotizing fasciitis, namely:

• Aeromonas hydrophila
• Clostridium
• Escherichia coli (E. coli)
• Klebsiella
• Staphylococcus aureus

How do these bacteria attack the body?

These bacteria can enter the body after you have had an operation or injury. In addition, they can also enter the body through:

• Skin wounds
• Insect bites
• Blisters
• Surgical wound

Even in some cases, it is not known how the infection initially attacked the body. Suddenly the infection quickly spreads and destroys muscle, skin, and fat tissue.

What are the symptoms of a flesh-eating bacterial infection?

When you are infected with flesh-eating bacteria, which is the beginning of necrotizing fasciitis, you usually experience some of the first symptoms that will occur in the first 24 hours after infection, namely:

• Unbearable pain in small cuts, abrasions, or other exposed areas of skin.
• Redness and warmth around the wound, although these symptoms can begin in other areas of the body.
• There are blisters or dark spots around the infected skin.
• Fever.
• The body feels hot and cold.
• Feeling tired.
• Gag.
• Dizzy.
• Excessive thirst due to dehydration.

Other symptoms that usually occur in the vicinity of the infection site three to four days after infection, namely:

• The presence of swelling is accompanied by a purplish rash.
• There are violet marks on the skin that turn into blisters filled with foul-smelling liquid.
• There is a change in color, peeling, and flaking when there is tissue death in the area.

As for the critical symptoms that often occur in four to five days after infection, includes:

• The drop in blood pressure is quite severe.
• Loss of consciousness.

If you experience the initial symptoms mentioned above after experiencing an injury, see a doctor immediately for further tests.

Who is at risk of being infected with this disease?

Most people are at great risk of developing this bacterial infection if they have serious health problems that can reduce the body's ability to fight infections such as people with diabetes, cancer, kidneys, and other chronic health conditions that can weaken the immune system. In addition, there are several other types of people who are at risk, namely:

• People who consume heavy alcohol and drugs.
• Parents
• People who are malnourished
• People with obesity
• People who have recently had surgery
• Patients with peripheral vascular disease

How do doctors diagnose flesh-eating bacterial infections?

The doctor will perform several tests to diagnose this condition. The most common way that is usually done is by doing a biopsy. A biopsy is done by taking a small sample of the affected skin tissue for examination.

Then, blood tests can also be done to show whether your muscles have been damaged or not. CT scans and MRI may also be done to confirm the diagnosis that has been made.

Treatment of flesh-eating bacterial infections

Patients infected with flesh-eating bacteria will undergo several types of treatment. The stage depends on the level of infection when treatment was started. Types of treatment include:

• Antibiotic infusion.
• Surgery to remove damaged or dead tissue to prevent the spread of infection.
• Provide drugs to raise blood pressure.
• Perform blood transfusions.
• Amputate the affected body part if necessary.
• Provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy to maintain healthy tissue.
• Monitor heart and breathing apparatus.
• Immunoglobulin infusion to support the body's ability to fight infection.

How to prevent flesh-eating bacteria?

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to prevent flesh-eating bacterial infection is to make sure that you are treating the wound properly. Here are ways you can do to prevent flesh-eating bacterial infections, namely:

• Do not delay giving first aid to wounds even if they are minor injuries such as abrasions and scratches.
• For minor wounds, clean the wound and cover it with a clean, dry bandage until it heals.
• If you have a wound that is large enough and deep, see a doctor for medical treatment. Usually the doctor will give antibiotics to prevent the spread of bacteria through the skin layer.
• Avoid playing and spending time in swimming pools, hot tubs, and other water sources such as lakes, rivers if you have open wounds or skin infections.
• Wash your hands after doing activities with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.