Flesh-Eating Bacteria

[PMattras]

I am starting to see this more and more. A good friend of mine lost part of his face when he was in Fort Meyer, FL. Lucky to be alive. I read a lot of this in the water ways in Florida. I just saw this one in RI. It is getting scary out there. Something to be aware of while being outside.

 

Rhode Island firefighter loses hand to flesh-eating bacteria

Published July 19, 2014

NEWPORT, R.I. – A Rhode Island firefighter who got an infection after being pricked by a thorn has lost his hand to flesh-eating bacteria.

Thirty-two-year-old Braden Leonard, of Newport, says he was biking in Ballard Park in June when he fell and a thorn pricked his right hand.

The nine-year veteran of the Johnston Fire Department had inflammation, fever and fatigue, and his friends persuaded him to go to the emergency room.

Doctors diagnosed the rare necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as a flesh-eating infection. They amputated the hand to stop the infection's spread. He was in the hospital for 10 days.

Leonard tells WJAR-TV he's in good spirits and feels lucky to be alive. He says he hopes to be fitted with a prosthetic and return to his job as a firefighter.

Rhode Island firefighter loses hand to flesh-eating bacteria

According to the Providence Journal, Braden Leonard was biking in Ballard Park when he fell into a bunch of thorns. One of the thorns punctured his right hand.

Shortly after, Leonard began feeling ill. He suffered from fever, fatigue, and considerable inflammation. He went to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as a “flesh-eating” infection.

The condition is caused by the same bacteria that causes strep throat. It had traveled into his bloodstream, causing the mass infection. Doctors had to amputate his hand to save his life. He was in the hospital for 10 days. Five of those days he was in an induced coma.

During an interview with Newport NBC 10, Leonard seemed in good spirits.

“I consider myself pretty lucky. I have a great attitude,” said 32-year-old Leonard.

“I had a 30% chance of survival when I was in the hospital,” he said. “The surgeon was telling me after the fact. He said the first day we had you at 30%. Then the next day was a little better. But you were still not out of the woods.”

Leonard said as each day passed, they gave him a better chance of survival.

He told Newport NBC 10 that he hopes to be fitted with a prosthetic hand and return to his job as a firefighter. A fundraiser is being held for him at the end of the month.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that necrotizing fasciitis is a serious bacterial infection that spreads rapidly and destroys the body’s soft tissue. The rare disease is caused by a multitude of bacteria but group A strep is considered the most common cause.

Usually infections caused by group A strep are mild and can be easily treated with antibiotics. Necrotizing fasciitis can occur when toxins from the bacteria enters the bloodstream and causes tissue to die.

The CDC states it is important to practice good hygiene if injured. Keep open wounds covered with dry bandages until healed. Don’t delay in seeking medical or first aid attention, even for minor scrapes. Wash hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub.

If you are healthy, have a strong immune system, and practice good hygiene and proper wound care, your chances of getting necrotizing fasciitis (“flesh-eating” bacteria) are extremely low.

 

[Bad Bowtie2]

Freaking crazy!! Then we have airplanes flying everywhere transporting those 2 volunteer's to the CDC hospital in Atlanta (ebola), the green algae waters up in MN & Great Lakes region causing the water supply to dry up...

 

Still severe droughts in TX & parts of CA. Mudslides in south CA on a crazy scale. What else guys??

[white1500]

I saw a news clip about that firefighter the other day and its scary how something like that could happen.