A Singapore man lost half of his right index finger after becoming infected with a 'meat-eating' bacteria while washing shrimp. This is his story.
According to local media Zao Bao, the man bought the shrimp in a local market and he did not give importance to pricking himself with the shell, since he declared that he had already been pricked on previous occasions and thought that this time it would be no different.
However, the next day, he developed a fever and his finger went black . So he decided to go to a 24-hour clinic and there they told him to go to the hospital immediately.
Experts diagnosed him with necrotizing fasciitis, so that same night he had to undergo surgery and remained there for seven days, including two days in the Intensive Care Unit.
The man also said that doctors told him that if he had waited another day, he could have lost his arm or even died if the bacteria reached his armpit.
Now, he seeks to share his story to alert other people to be careful when handling raw shrimp or shellfish.
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Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare bacterial infection that spreads through the body quickly and can cause death.
The CDC indicates that the most common way this bacteria enters the body is through the skin through cuts and scrapes, burns, insect bites, puncture wounds, or surgical wounds.
This infection often spreads quickly and its first symptoms include fever, a rapidly spreading red or inflamed area, and severe pain, even outside the swollen area. Its most advanced symptoms are: ulcers, blisters or black spots on the skin, color changes in the dermis, pus or secretions that come out of the infected area, dizziness, fatigue, and diarrhea or nausea.
Because necrotizing fasciitis can spread so quickly, patients often need to have surgery quickly.
Antibiotics can also be given intravenously to try to stop the infection. However, sometimes antibiotics do not reach all infected areas, and when this happens, the dead tissue must be surgically removed with surgery.
If not treated immediately, it can lead to sepsis and organ failure . It can also lead to permanent complications due to limb loss or pronounced scarring.
The CDC notes that even with treatment, up to one in three people dies from this infection .
See also:
Her son contracted the meat-eating bacteria, so he shares his experience
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