Necrotizing Fasciitis: rare and fatal flesh-eating disease!
-In Kenya the Tenwek Hospital in Bomet County has been dealing with this disease since 2017-
Necrotizing Fasciitis Disease/Image Courtesy
By Hildah Ngetich
Health Journalist|Gender equity advocate
What is necrotizing fasciitis?
Necrotizing fasciitis is a flesh-eating disease that affects tissue beneath the skin(fascia).
Why is it known as a flesh-eating disease?
This is known as a flesh-eating disease because it is a bacterial infection that affects one’s skin and spreads quickly in the body.
How common is the disease?
It is an uncommon disease but not quite rare and very fatal as it causes death easily.
What does the Ministry of health say concerning this disease?
The Ministry of Health stated that 0.3 to 15 people per 100,000 people get infected with necrotizing fasciitis and one in three people die.
How does one get necrotizing fasciitis?
According to the Cleveland clinic in the USA one gets necrotizing fasciitis when bacteria invades your body through cuts,insect bites,surgery and wounds from needles.
Who does it mostly affect?
According to the Cleveland clinic it mostly affects people with cuts,diabetics,obesity,alcoholism, cancer,pregnancy and people with low immunity.
What are the signs and symptoms of this disease?.
Cleveland clinic noted that early signs of this disease are diarrhea,vomiting,swelling of affected area,body aches,fever,rashes and extreme signs when the infection has spread include dizziness,confusion,tissue death(necrosis),organ failure,blood poisoning(sepsis) and discoloured skin which will result to death or amputation of the affected part.
Are there cases of Necrotizing fasciitis in Kenya?
In Kenya the Ministry of Health noted that Tenwek Hospital in Bomet County has been dealing with this disease since 2017 and many people suffering from it have been treated there.
What is the cure of this disease?
Cleveland clinic further said that the best cure for this disease is use of antibiotics and IV fluids and surgery to completely clear the infection in the affected area.
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