Necrotizing Fasciitis

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Necrotizing Fasciitis
Sky Goltz

Ø Details about Necrotizing Fasciitis:
Ø This is a rare infection of the skin and deeper tissues is also known as Streptococcal Gangrene, and is characterized by extensive and rapidly spreading decaying of tissue and muscle. There is no medicine to prevent contracting the disease, however you can reduce risk of receiving the disease. It is a bacteria that produces pyrogenic exotoxins A or B. Found in severe infections. Causes overproduction of T-cells.
Ø Disease History:
Ø This bacteria was identified as early as 1884 in France from patients with skin infections that would swell and rot off (Center for Disease Control). However it was considered a freak disease and not known of by the general public. This bacteria was first made public in 1924 when and outbreak was discovered in China. The disease would spread from infection to infection by any means possible.
Ø Treatments Past and Present:
Ø Early treatments for Necrotizing Fasciitis included amputation, draining of infected tissue, and placing maggots on the infected area. These treatments were often very effective if diagnosed and treated within 2 weeks. Current treatments for this disease include powerful antibiotics, amputation, draining, or surgery.
Doctors today are able to diagnose and treat the infection with an 87% chance of success if diagnosed within 3 weeks. Each following week the percentage declines by about 10% (Callender Troy, 1998, pg 128).
Changes that have taken place include much faster detection, and higher chances of successfully treating the disease do overall to more sterile conditions and advanced study on the bacteria.
Ø Antibiotic Resistance:
Ø Necrotizing Fasciitis has strong antibiotic resistances. Most AB’s taken are a coctail of strong bacterial killers, hoping that one of them will slow down the decaying process. There is not yet a vaccine for this disease.
Ø Contracting the Disease...