# data[].attributes.body
"Flesh Eating Bacteria"

# data[].attributes.body
Many infections are contracted while in a body of water.

# data[].attributes.body
Necrotizing fasciitis produces gas pockets when the infection is inside.

# data[].attributes.headline
Gram positive stain of necrotizing fasciitis

# data[].attributes.subject
Gram positive stain of necrotizing fasciitis

# data[].attributes.headline
This is a scanning electron micrograph of Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes) bacteria on primary human neutrophil (white blood cell) which causes necrotizing fasciitis 

# data[].attributes.subject
This is a scanning electron micrograph of Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes) bacteria on primary human neutrophil (white blood cell) which causes necrotizing fasciitis 

# data[].attributes.body
The majority of infected individuals who develop necrotizing fasciitis begin with an existing infection (cellulitis, abcess, or wound), most frequently on an extremity or in a wound or surgical site. The initial infection can be from almost any cause (for example, cuts on the skin, puncture wounds, surgical incisions, or rarely, insect bites [spiders, biting flies]). Early symptoms may resemble those of cellulitis and include the following:

Instead of healing, the infected site (see above) can show erythema (redness) and swelling.

The site may be very sensitive to pain, and skin pain can occur even past the area of erythema.

The presence of pain is far in excess of what would be expected based upon physical findings.

Fever and chills

Fatigue

Progressive or later symptoms include the following:

Progressive skin changes such as skin ulceration and bullae (thin-walled fluid-filled blisters) formation

Skin discoloration

Necrotic scars (black scabs)

Gas formation in the tissues (that can produce a crackling sensation under the skin)

Fluid and/or pus draining from the site can occur rapidly as the infection progresses.

Some patients can become septic, meaning the infection has spread to the bloodstream and throughout the body.

Septic shock (bacteremia, low blood pressure, rapid breathing, mental status altered)

# data[].attributes.body
Theoretically, anyone with an infection has a small risk of getting necrotizing fasciitis; the risk factors begin to increase if the infection occurs in immunosuppressed individuals (for example, diabetics, elderly, infants, those with liver disease, or those taking immunosuppressive drugs such as chemotherapy for cancer). Visible infections (skin, hair follicles, fingernails, visible traumasites) are more likely to be noticed and treated than some deep infections. Patients who have any deep infections (muscle, bone, joint, gastrointestinal) are at somewhat higher risk for the disease because the initial infection and subsequent spread is usually not as noticeable as more visible infections.

# data[].attributes.body
At the time of preliminary diagnosis, the patient needs to be hospitalized and started on intravenous (IV) antibiotics immediately. The initial choice of antibiotics can be made based upon the types of flesh-eating bacteria suspected of causing the infection, but many doctors believe that multiple antibiotics should be used at the same time to protect the patient from methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus(MRSA, or sometimes termed flesh-eating bacteria in the popular press), as well as infections with anaerobic bacteria, and polymicrobial infections.

Many patients with necrotizing fasciitis are very sick, and most require admission to an intensive-care unit. Sepsis and organ failure (renal, pulmonary, and cardiovascular systems) need to be treated aggressively to increase the patient's chance for recovery. Some patients have such extensive damage to limbs that they require skin grafting, plastic surgery, or even amputation.

# data[].attributes.body
And the least gross picture of Necrotizing fasciitis on the internet

# data[].attributes.headline
Some patients with extensive limb damage will require skin grafting

# data[].attributes.subject
Some patients with extensive limb damage will require skin grafting

# data[].attributes.body
Necrotizing fasciitis does not begin unless an infection has already started in tissue; immediate effective treatment of any infection is likely to prevent the disease. Further, anything that can help prevent infections will help prevent necrotizing fasciitis. Practices such as hand washing, checking extremities for cuts or wounds if you have diabetes, avoiding physical contact with people who carry MRSA, and good hygiene practices help prevent initial infections that may lead to flesh-eating disease. Immunosuppressed patients should be very careful not to get infections, and people with liver disease should avoid eating seafood that may be contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus. People with liver disease should not have any infections or cuts in the skin exposed to warm seawater to avoid necrotizing fasciitis caused by Vibrio vulnificus.

Physicians, surgeons, and other caregivers play an important role in prevention. Cases of necrotizing fasciitis may occur when surgical sites become infected. Consequently, physicians need to use sterile techniques when doing surgery and adhere to hospital practices such as glove and gown coverage to help prevent infection spread in hospitalized patients. Careful surgical techniques in sites that can easily become contaminated are required. Some examples of such sites are bowel surgery, episiotomy (surgically enlarging the vaginal outlet), and debridement with closure of traumatic wounds.