Flesh-eating bacteria refers to an infection that spreads so rapidly that the skin and surrounding soft tissue starts to die," explained Dr. Stacey Rose, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston.
This is still a rare condition but can be quite serious, especially for individuals who have a compromised immune system," Rose explained in a college news release.
The most common cause of flesh-eating disease ("necrotizing fasciitis") is group A strep, a common type of bacteria that also causes strep throat. Strep produces toxins that break down the skin.
Staph infection is another cause of flesh-eating disease, and a less common cause is Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria that lives in warm marine water like the Gulf Coast.
Most people who come in contact with Vibrio don't have any issues, but some are at increased risk for complications if they do. For example, immunocompromised people who go into bodies of water with a minor cut/wound could end up with a serious infection.
Rose offered the following safety tips:
Avoid bodies of water if you have an open wound.
Wash your hands with soap and water after any summertime activities.
If you suffer a minor cut or injury, immediately clean it with soap and water.
Keep your skin healthy. Skin issues such as eczema or athlete's foot can create a breakdown in the skin that increases the risk of bacterial infections.
If you have an immune-compromising condition such as liver disease, kidney disease or diabetes, be more cautious when you go into bodies of water, especially if you have an open wound.
Shower after any water activities.
Chlorinated water is likely cleaner than non-chlorinated water, but not without risk.
If you have redness or irritation on your skin that becomes warm, changes color and is spreading very rapidly or forming pustules, contact your doctor right away, Rose advised.
In addition to antibiotics, the treatment for flesh-eating disease involves cutting out dead tissue very quickly to keep the infection from spreading. The sooner this is done, the less tissue surgeons will have to remove in the long run.
You may have heard that you can get Vibrio infection from eating raw or undercooked oysters and other seafood. But did you know you can also get a Vibrio infection through an open wound? This can happen when a wound comes into contact with raw or undercooked seafood, its juices, or its drippings or with saltwater or brackish water.*
One species, Vibrio vulnificus, can cause life-threatening wound infections. Many people with Vibrio vulnificus infection require intensive care or limb amputations, and about 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill.
Some Vibrio vulnificus infections lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection in which the flesh around an open wound dies. Some media reports call this kind of infection “flesh-eating bacteria,” even though necrotizing fasciitis can be caused by more than one type of bacteria. Anyone can get a Vibrio wound infection. But some people are more likely to get an infection and have severe complications—for example, people who have liver disease or take medicine that lowers the body’s ability to fight germs. Anyone can get a Vibrio wound infection. But some people are more likely to get an infection and have severe complications—for example, people who have liver disease or take medicine that lowers the body’s ability to fight germs.
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