Certain bacteria could cause the flesh-eating disease known as necrotizing fasciitis. Although the disease might be treatable, the infection progresses rapidly and cause extensive tissue damage, and may lead to death.
Recently, a man from Louisiana had a near-death experience due to a flesh-eating bacteria he contracted a
Louisiana Man Contracted Necrotizing Fasciitis Ends Up in Intensive Care Unit
On an unexpected happy and fun day, a man in Lousiana contracted a flesh-eating bacteria while crabbing in Cameron Parish, ABC Eyewitness News reported. For Jessie Abshire, that day was just a typical fun day that turned out to be the worst.
His wife, Belinda Abshire, said that she and her husband were not long in the water and took only a couple of hours at the most. She said that her husband experienced some symptoms two days after they had gone crabbing in ankle-deep water.
They called the incident a near-death experience for Jessie and shared his story, hoping it would also save another person from suffering the same. Their daughter, Amanda Savoie, said that her dad is currently recuperating at the hospital and is getting better slowly each day.
The type of flesh-eating bacteria he contracted was known as Vibrio vulnificus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Vibrio vulnificus can cause life-threatening wound infections that may lead to ICU or limb amputations and kills 1 in 5 people who contracted it.
People can get Vibrio infection from eating raw or undercooked oysters and other seafood. However, it can also infect people by getting into an open wound.
As to what happens after contracting the bacteria, ABC quoted Dr. Stephen Castleberry with West Cal Cam Hospital saying, "Overnight can be sepsis and septic shock, and aggressive therapy to try to do what you can to save life and tissue."
Vibrio Vulnificus Bacteria Detected in Water Earlier This Year
Dr. Castleberry explained to KPLC News that it is the time of the year when skin infections are rampant. He added that doctors are especially worried about individuals who are immunocompromised, like those with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and mild liver disease. Individuals with open wounds, old tattoos, and minor cuts that may be left unrecognized are also at risk.
Given the case of the man in Louisiana, Dr. Castlebury said that the bacteria is showing up about four to six weeks earlier than in the past few years. Due to this, he reminds the public to take extra caution when going to the beach this summer.
He added that anyone who went to brackish water or gulf water during these times of the month should wash off after leaving the beach, especially if they have open wounds, to avoid infection.
But if someone gets scraped from the rocks or wounded by a fishing hook or net, it is required to wash the wound immediately and properly with soap and water. However, if the wound gets painful and worse, it's best to seek immediate medical care.
RELATED ARTICLE: Simple Cut Leads to Flesh-eating Bacterial Infection Sending 6-year-old Boy to the OR for Multiple Surgeries
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