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Necrotizing Fasciitis

  • Necrotizing Fasciitis Home
  • Necrotizing Fasciitis For Health Professionals

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  • Group A Streptococcus (GAS)
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Necrotizing Fasciitis

  • Necrotizing Fasciitis Home
  • Necrotizing Fasciitis For Health Professionals

Related Topics

  • Group A Streptococcus (GAS)
  • Invasive Bacterial Diseases
  • Infectious Diseases A-Z
  • Reportable Infectious Diseases
Contact Info
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
651-201-5414
IDEPC Comment Form

Contact Info

Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
651-201-5414
IDEPC Comment Form

Necrotizing Fasciitis

Necrotizing fasciitis is sometimes referred to as a "flesh-eating" infection and is the result of a bacterial infection that may develop after surgery, or after minor trauma such as a cut, scrape, burn, or insect bite.

It is an uncommon, but serious condition that requires immediate medical intervention.

Bacterial species

  • Several different bacterial species can cause necrotizing fasciitis:
    • Group A strep (the most common)
    • Klebsiella
    • Clostridium
    • E. coli
    • Staphylococcus aureus
    • Aeromonas hydrophila
    • other bacterial species

Symptoms

  • Symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis include (but are not limited to):

    • rapid onset of severe pain and swelling,
    • fever,
    • and redness at the site of the injury.

    Symptoms can be less significant in early stages of the disease but rapidly progress.

  • Necrotizing fasciitis is reported in half of patients with streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome, or STSS.  This illness is characterized by the presence of multiple symptoms:
    • chills,
    • fever or hypothermia and shock,
    • confusion,
    • vomiting,
    • diarrhea,
    • tachycardia,
    • hypotension and multi-organ failure.

More About Necrotizing Fasciitis

  • CDC: About Necrotizing Fasciitis

For Health Professionals

All cases of Group A Streptococcus that result in necrotizing fasciitis are reportable to the Minnesota Department of Health.

  • Information For Health Professionals on Necrotizing Fasciitis
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  • necrotizing Fasciitis
Last Updated: 05/21/2024

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