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Necrotizing Fasciitis/Myosits (Flesh eating Disease)
Necrotizing Fasciitis is also known as the flesh-eating disease. It
is a rare disease that causes the deterioration of the flesh, causing
extensive destruction of the tissues. It can kill. The disease is very
uncommon and only infects about one in a million people each year in Canada.
There is some concern and suggestions that cases of this disease may be on
the increase. Most of these serious infections occur between the months of
October and March. The good news is that fifty to seventy percent of
people who get this disease recover.
When people get this illness, the symptoms are fever, severe pain, and
a red, painful swelling which spreads rapidly. The disease spreads very
rapidly through flesh at a rate of one inch or almost three centimetres per
hour. Death can occur in just 18 hours.
The layers of tissue that surround the muscle are called fascia.
When the disease spreads along the layers of tissue that surround muscle,
it is called Necrotizing Fasciitis. Once the disease spreads into the
muscle tissue, it is called Necrotizing Myositis.
Background
The first record of the disease was in France in 1783. The disease
occurred throughout the 1800's and 1900's, but was usually only found in
military hospitals in times of war. Some outbreaks have occurred also in
civilian populations. There seemed to be some decrease in the 1940's, and
then another outbreak in the 1980's.
Ontario is the only province in Canada where there is statistics on
serious group a streptococcal infections (including necrotizing fasciitis).
These cases are reported to health authorities. Surveillance for group
A streptococcus began in 1991 in Canada. In Ontario, in 1994, 19 cases of
serious disease were reported to health authorities. Of those 19, six
died. There were only 9 cases in 1993, and 27 cases in 1992, and 25 cases
in 1991.
Cause
Flesh eating disease is caused by several bacteria, one of them is
group A streptococcus. A bacteria that causes sore throats and strep
throats in kids, as well as in teenagers, is group A streptococcus. This
is the same bacteria that causes impetigo, rheumatic fever and scarlet
fever. Group A streptococcus also causes a general bad feeling. Ten to
fifteen per cent of school children could carry the bacteria in their
throat and have no symptoms. Group A Streptococcus can be spread by close
personal contact, such as kissing or sharing drinks or cutlery, with an
infected person, but flesh eating disease can not be.
Symptoms
Symptoms include fever, severe pain and a red, painful swelling. Some
side effects can result from group A streptococcus. Serious life-
threatening diseases, such as streptococcal toxic-shock syndrome can occur.
When serious disease develops, the sore throat is usually not present.
Treatment
Treatment includes the surgical removal of infected tissue or
amputation if necessary. Also, if one is lucky, giving drugs like
penicillin, will work. There are no vaccines available to prevent group A
streptococcus.
Health Canada and other researchers are working to develop new
strategies and treatments to combat disease outbreaks when they occur.
Some scientists believe that the bacteria makes proteins that causes
the body's immune system to destroy both the bacteria and the body, in
addition to proteins that destroy tissue directly.
Flesh-eating disease Matt Sanderson May 27,1995
Bibliography
1. Bureau of Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Laboratory
Center for Disease Control, Health Protection Branch, Health Canada,
,
"Necrotizing Fasciitis".
2. Public Health Region, Rosetown , Saskatchewan, "Flesh-eating
disease".
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