Flesh-eating bacteria can cause a type of bacterial infection known as necrotizing fasciitis, which often results in tissue death, sepsis, and organ failure. The condition generally develops in the connective tissue surrounding muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.

How Do You Get Infected with Flesh-Eating Bacteria?

Flesh-eating bacterial infections are caused by many different types of bacteria. Most cases of necrotizing fasciitis develop due to an existing infection or wound.  When bacteria enter the wound and gets under the skin, an infection may develop.

A Tarpon Springs, Fla. man who became infected with flesh-eating bacteria said he contracted the virus after standing in the Gulf of Mexico to fish. George B. had taken his grandson fishing near a canal where a power plant emptied water into the gulf. George spoke to the Tampa Bay Times about how he contracted the life-threatening infection, saying, “I had a couple of scabs on my leg but didn’t think about it.”

A few hours after they finished fishing, George reported that he began to experience a burning sensation in his leg, along with a fever and chills. Once he went to the hospital, he was diagnosed with vibrio vulnificus, one of two types of bacteria that can cause necrotizing fasciitis. Although he required a hospital stay and a round of antibiotics, George was lucky. He developed a large blister on his leg, but the doctors were able to stop the infection before amputation was required.

In another case from Florida, a woman who was scratched by her cat also became infected with flesh-eating bacteria. Unfortunately, by the time she made it to the hospital, the condition had progressed and the woman was diagnosed with sepsis, organ failure, and pneumonia in addition to necrotizing fasciitis. After emergency surgery to remove the infected tissue, a medically induced coma, and several skin grafts, she told FOX 35 that she was lucky to be alive. Speaking about her experience, she said, “I felt like I was going to die. I couldn’t believe this could all happen from a simple scratch.”

Those with compromised immune systems, including the elderly, infants, diabetics, people with liver disease, alcoholics, or anyone taking immunosuppressive drugs may be at additional risk for developing necrotizing fasciitis.

As the condition generally develops due to an existing wound or infection, those with deep muscle, bone, joint, or gastrointestinal infections may be at a higher risk for developing the condition. Although necrotizing fasciitis is serious, it is also fairly rare. Statistics of flesh-eating bacteria infections in the U.S. indicate that between 500 to 1,500 cases of the infection are diagnosed annually.

Patients who take medications including SGLT2 inhibitors for the treatment of type-2 diabetes may be at an increased risk of developing the condition. According to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety warning, these medications may increase the likelihood of developing Fournier’s gangrene, or flesh-eating bacteria that affects the genitals. This class of drugs works by redirecting excess sugars from the bloodstream and out through the urine –  potentially feeding any bacteria in the genital area.

What are the Symptoms of Flesh-Eating Bacteria?

Initial symptoms of flesh-eating bacteria infections may include redness, swelling, and sensitivity. As the condition progresses, the skin pain may increase, and patients may experience fever, chills, fatigue, skin discoloration and scarring, fluid or pus, and sepsis.

What is the Treatment for Flesh-Eating Bacteria?

Treatment for someone who has been infected with flesh-eating bacteria generally consists of several parts. Rapid treatment with antibiotics is the first step, often followed by surgical debridement or removal and cleaning of the infected tissue. Negative pressure wound therapy, or vacuum dressing the wound, may also be recommended. In more serious cases, fluids may need to be administered intravenously, and a breathing tube may be inserted.

The length of treatment may depend on the severity of the infection. Patients who have suffered serious damage caused by the infection may require skin grafting, plastic surgery, and long stays in hospital ICUs or burn units.

As necrotizing fasciitis can spread very quickly, it is important for sufferers to seek immediate medical attention. Without medical intervention, the infection may spread through approximately 3 centimeters of tissue per hour.

As the disease progresses and spreads throughout the body, it also becomes more difficult to treat. Mortality rates associated with flesh-eating bacteria may be as high as 75 percent for patients with Fournier’s gangrene, and those on diabetes medications are already at higher risk. For patients whose arms or legs have been infected with flesh-eating bacteria, the mortality rate is about 25 percent.

Patients who have been infected with flesh-eating bacteria may also be at risk of amputation, kidney failure, sepsis, or skin changes including deep scarring.

Join a Free Diabetes Medications & Flesh-Eating Infection Lawsuit Investigation

The type-2 diabetes medications linked to the flesh-eating infection include:

• Invokana
• Invokamet/Invokamet XR
• Farxiga
• Xigduo XR
• Qtern
• Jardiance
• Glyxambi
• Synjardy/Synjardy XR
• Steglato
• Segluromet
• Steglujan

If you or a loved one took one of the type-2 diabetes medications listed above and suffered from a flesh-eating genital infection, you may qualify to join this diabetes medication lawsuit investigation. Fill out the FREE form on this page for more information.

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