Conditions
Flesh Eating Bug
Image: Cases Journal 2008 1:125
Necrotising fasciitis is a flesh eating bug, of which several hundred cases are reported in the UK each year. You’re far more likely to contract it in a tropical country, so stay savvy to the symptoms if you’re off to an exotic destination on holiday.
Most often the disease occurs in the legs, although it can affect any area of the body.
The bacteria enter through broken skin, so it can start with skin trauma as minor as a mosquito bite or small graze. The bacteria quickly eat away at soft tissue under the skin before spreading to surrounding tissues. The bacteria can devour flesh with alarming rapidity. Critical symptoms appear within 24 hours, starting with pain that is disproportionate to the injury, fever and dizziness. Usually after three days, purple rashes appear with large, dark marks and blisters filled with a blackish liquid. After four to five days, the body goes into shock and drops into unconsciousness. It is vital to see a health professional as soon as possible, who will treat the infection with antibiotics and by surgically removing the dead tissue. Don’t let this bug get under your skin; keep cuts and grazes clean, and maintain good hygiene.
Comments and Questions
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here
My brother is currently in hospital after having emergency surgery last night for NF. It does indeed spread very quickly. He is to go down to theatre again tomorrow, to see if it has spread further.He had to have a large area of his leg operated on, including some muscle. A plastic surgeon is also coming tomorrow. It is an awful disease and as other posts have stated anyone can contract it it is life threatening.
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive
Hope that the outcome has been +tive for you all . I know that the climb out is when he'll need your support the most. 10+ years on & I'm still suffering. Thinking of you all.
In reply to Patricia Report this as offensive
I contracted NF in Nov '03, it was atypical as it affected both my left arm & left foot - and there was no break in the skin cover such as an open wound. Since then I have undergone extensive cosmetic reconstruction, and still am plagued by residual neuropathic pain nearly 10 years later..... PLEASE - if you have any flu like symptoms & odd/irrugular shaped bruises, make sure you get them checked out; as you're life may depend on it!
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive
If you’re worried why not contact the show and have a proper consultation with one of our Dr’s? You can apply via the link on our home page.
In reply to Claire Report this as offensive
What prevents mosquitos? I am from australia and get absolutely eaten I just want a full proof repellant that works
Asked on 16 Sep 2012 04:31 by Elise
replies - can you help?
Answer now Report this as offensive
i have a lump just above my c section scar on left side have had it for about a year now and is very painful when im on my period or if i cough i have been back and forwards with drs and hospital and have had a two cans one being mri scan but they said there is to much swelling so cant see whats going on
Asked on 17 Jul 2012 13:39 by sherri
replies - can you help?
Answer now Report this as offensive
I passed a 1 inch chunk of white and pink colored tissue today along with a bowel movement. First time this has happened to me. I am 63 yr old male,married with grown children. My wife and I live with our 3 cats and are both retired.Did not want to rush out a create a big scene. just wanted to figure out what to do and what not to do. Thanks for any guidance you can share so I don't become a laughing stock on this journey.
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive
I had necrotising fascititis at the end of 2010 a large area of my leg was affected & neeeded debridment several times. Because I had a type of cancer 5 years ago I have no Lymph glands in that leg. My disease was caused by a common bacteria but it is not common in this disease. Seven lots of infection have occurred in this leg since but now I am making a good recovery
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive
I agree completely with Julia. My partner almost died from Necrotising Fashiitis (NF) in May last year. This deadly bug can get in through any break in the skin. Many cases reported contracted NF after surgery for something else or just as many got it from a simple cut. My partner could not even be this specific and has no idea how he became infected and the doctors say it's unlikely he'll ever know. After 10 operations and weeks in intensive care he's now on the road to recovery. I sincerely wish you all the best with your recovery Julia.
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive
my daughter was watching this on the tv this week, she called me and this started a huge discution that moved on to be very heated. I had Necrotising fasciitis, septic shock and of course ended up in coma fighting for my life, but I feel it wasnt explained properly, this bug lives on everyone, some of us are just unlucky.
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive