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LIFE SAVER

The 7 signs you could be infected with deadly ‘flesh-eating bug’

ALL it takes is a tiny cut, or even an insect bite, for a deadly "flesh-eating bug" to leave your life hanging in the balance.

Left untreated it can claim limbs, develop into sepsis and threaten your life, so it's vital to be aware of the tell-tale signs.

Necrotising fasciitis is caused by common bacteria entering the body through a wound and causing the surrounding tissue to rot
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Necrotising fasciitis is caused by common bacteria entering the body through a wound and causing the surrounding tissue to rotCredit: Getty - Contributor

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare but serious bacterial infection that affects the tissue beneath the skin; and surrounding muscles and organs.

It's dubbed a "flesh-eating bug" but the bacteria doesn't actually eat the flesh, it releases toxins that damage the tissues, causing it to rot away.

The bacteria can spread in a matter of hours, even from a minor injury, and is life-threatening if it's not treated early enough.

There are several types of bacteria that can cause necrotising fasciitis including; streptococcus A, klebsiella, clostridium, escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus.

Donna Corden, from Leeds, almost died after a tiny cut on her eye brow became infected with the bug
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Donna Corden, from Leeds, almost died after a tiny cut on her eye brow became infected with the bugCredit: Claire Dunwell
Tamara Owsley-Savard, 32, from Kansas, was left fighting for life after a spider bite got infected with a 'flesh-eating bug'
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Tamara Owsley-Savard, 32, from Kansas, was left fighting for life after a spider bite got infected with a 'flesh-eating bug'Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
Little Jonathin Perez, also from the US, developed necrotising fasciitis, which started out as a sore throat
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Little Jonathin Perez, also from the US, developed necrotising fasciitis, which started out as a sore throatCredit: Katie Perez

All of this bacteria can live in your gut, throat, or on the skin of some people and don't usually cause any serious problems.

But in rare cases, they can cause necrotising fasciitis if they get into deep tissue – either through the bloodstream, or an injury or wound.

If you have a "flesh-eating bug" one of the earliest signs is pain beyond what is normal for the cut, scrape or bite you have.

According to the NHS, these are the key signs to watch out for:

  1. A small but painful cut or scratch on the skin
  2. Intense pain that out of proportion to any damage on your skin
  3. A high temperature or fever
  4. Flu-like symptoms
Helen Priestly, from Rochdale, developed a 'flesh-eating bug' after scraping her leg on a water slide in Benidorm - she almost lost her leg
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Helen Priestly, from Rochdale, developed a 'flesh-eating bug' after scraping her leg on a water slide in Benidorm - she almost lost her leg
Sydney Shipley, 21, from the US, had an emergency operation to remove a chunk of her leg, measuring 8ins by 6ins, and was warned she was just hours away from losing her leg after heat rash turned into necrotising fasciitis
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Sydney Shipley, 21, from the US, had an emergency operation to remove a chunk of her leg, measuring 8ins by 6ins, and was warned she was just hours away from losing her leg after heat rash turned into necrotising fasciitisCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

After a few days, as the infection spreads, you may also notice:

  1. Swelling and redness in the area - the swelling may be firm to touch
  2. diarrhoea and vomiting
  3. dark blotches on the skin that turn into fluid-filled blisters

It can also cause dizziness, weakness and confusion as the infection takes hold of the body.

When do you need to see a doctor?

If you notice any of these symptoms you need to see a doctor immediately .

Necrotising fasciitis is considered a medical emergency and needs urgent attention from a doctor - it's a matter of life and death.

Once you're in hospital your doctor will take blood tests and scans to determine the underlying cause of the infection.

This can help them formulate a treatment plan, but in most cases a diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis can only be made after an operation to examine the infected flesh.

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If the infection progresses it can very quickly lead to sepsis and organ failure.

Around one to two in every five cases are fatal and those who survive can sometimes be left with life-altering disabilities like a loss of limb.

To treat the infection doctors will need to operate to cut all the infected tissue away, this is the most effective way of stopping the spread of the bacteria.

You will also be put on a course of antibiotics to help your body fight the infection; and other medications to manage your blood pressure and organ function.

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