What is Necrotizing Fasciitis?

I am currently working on a post about a two-year old little boy who has necrotizing fasciitis... I met his mom through a closed group on Facebook for nec fasc survivors.  She has page dedicated to Frankie (that's his name) and she described what nec fasc is in a way that is clear, simple, and easy to understand.  There is not a lot out there on this rare, horrible, fatal (in many cases) infection.  A lot of what I read about it is confusing... even with my background in the medical field.  Before I post his story, I wanted to post her description of nec fasc so you all will have a better understanding of what the disease is.  Credit goes to Lucy, his mom.  She has done a ton of research over the last year as they have battled and Frankie has again and again fought for his life.

What is Necrotizing Fasciitis?

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a bacterial infection. This bacteria attacks the soft tissue and the fascia, which is a sheath of tissue covering the muscle. NF can occur in an extremity following a minor trauma, or after some other type of opportunity for the bacteria to enter the body such as surgery. 

The Group A Strep infection (flesh eating bacteria) is most common with minor trauma. This is what caused the NF in my little prince.

People have developed NF after a C-section, after abdominal surgery, after scratching a rash, after giving birth vaginally, from a tiny scratch, after bumping a leg with a golf bag, after a friendly punch in the arm from a buddy, after a little cut on the finger, after a cut on the foot, after a rug burn, after having a routine blood draw in a physical exam, after a broken arm, and after a broken leg, and also from no known trauma at all.

In order for someone to contract NF, the bacteria must be introduced into the body. This occurs either from direct contact with someone carrying the bacteria, or because of the bacteria being carried by the person him or herself. All things on earth carry bacteria. Some good some bad. Strep A can live on your skin or in your throat and not cause any problems. If you have sore throat and had it checked out doctors might say you have a strep throat.

Although many people carry strep A, there are various strains of the bacteria, some of which are more powerful than others and as in Frankies case it was the lethal strain that entered his body.
When the infection is caused by the lightening fast Group A Strep bacteria, the specific bacteria which causes the flesh-eating disease, people can go from perfectly healthy to death's door in a matter of days.

It is important everyone knows about this infection because a person does not need any predisposing conditions to be prone to developing necrotizing fasciitis. It can happen to anyone...young, old, adult, child, any race, any size, healthy or not. No one is out of danger. You do not need to have a weak immune system to get this.

The name "flesh-eating-bacteria" is a little sensational, but essentially, this is what the bacteria appears to do. It gets into the body, quickly reproduces, and gives off toxins and enzymes that destroy the soft tissue and fascia, which quickly becomes gangrenous (dead). This gangrenous tissue must be surgically removed to save the life of the patient. The bacteria also stealthily hides itself from the body's innate immune system, allowing it to spread rapidly along tissue planes. NF causes excruciating pain, dangerously low blood pressure, confusion, high fever, and severe dehydration due to the toxins poisoning the body. Unfortunately, NF sometimes occurs beneath the skin with few symptoms to explain the victim's symptoms. This results in a great many cases of misdiagnosis.

In addition to the tissue decay, the bacteria causes the rest of the body's organs to go into systemic shock. This may result in respiratory failure, heart failure, low blood pressure and renal failure. Basically, every system of the body can fail as a result of the severe infection and toxicity of the system. Frankie had had this infection in his body for 25 hours and so doctors expected his organs to fail. Frankie had 9 and a half hours of life saving surgery on 10.04.13 to remove everything on his back side and left thigh. We were told we needed a miracle.

NF is not a reoccurring condition. Once treated, the bacteria is eradicated from the body. During treatment, surgical sites are left open for a sufficient period of time and reinspected to be sure that the remaining tissue is no longer being destroyed. This was why doctors went back in 24 hours later to have a look at whether the infection had stopped. When physicians are confident that the infection has been stopped, the wounds are closed, typically with skin grafting. Frankie had skin grafted from his chest and legs onto his back and thigh. Then the recovery process starts which involves lengthy physical therapy, and long-term psychological, emotional and spiritual recovery. NF is truly a devastating disease. Frankie has to love with this for the rest of his life and will need surgery until he stops growing as the graft will not grow with him.