...SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS The symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis usually occur within the first 24 hours of infection. They often include a combination of the following: Increasing pain in the general area of a minor cut, abrasion, or other skin opening. Pain that is worse than would be expected from the appearance of the cut or abrasion. Redness and warmth around the wound, though symptoms can begin at other areas of the body. Flu-like symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, fever, dizziness, weakness, and general malaise. Intense thirst due to dehydration. More advanced symptoms occur around the painful infection site within three to four days of infection. They include: Swelling, possibly accompanied by a purplish rash. Large, violet-colored marks that transform into blisters filled with dark, foul-smelling fluid. Discoloration, peeling, and flakiness as tissue death (gangrene) occurs. Critical symptoms, which often occur within four to five days of infection, include: severe drop in blood pressure toxic shock unconsciousness HOW IS IT DIA GNOSED ? Necrotizing fasciitis progresses very rapidly, making early diagnosis crucial.Unfortunately, that does not always occur. The early symptoms of an infection with flesh-eating bacteria are similar to other conditions like the flu or a less serious skin infection. The early symptoms are also similar to common post-surgical complaints, such as: severe pain , inflammation , fever, and nausea. Diagnosis...
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...There are various types of necrotizing fasciitis: type I or polymicrobial, type II or group A streptococcal, or type III gas gangrene. These three types vary in the way of being transmitted into a person. Type I is saltwater necrotizing fasciitis which can be acquired by a minor skin wound containing vibrio species (Edlich). Type II or group A streptococcal and type III are frequent in initiating infecting bacteria whether it is anaerobic or aerobic pathogens like bacteroides, clostridium, or e coli (Edlich). It comes to show that it can be acquired by either breathing in the pathogen or infecting an individual directly. The treatment of necrotizing fasciitis depends on which type a person has as well as how far long has it been attacking the...
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...Aeromonas Hydrophila: The Improbable Culprit Edwin Myrick Abstract This study examines the structure and influences of Aeromonas Hydrophila, as a stand-alone bacterium and as it contribute to Necrotizing Fasciitis. Aeromonas Hydrophila impacts both aquatic life and humans, although the infection is not commonly known. This study examines those influences and explores medical case studies where individuals experienced illness, amputation, and even death. Aeromonas Hydrophila: The Improbable Culprit As the summer months begin to elevate the mercury level, nature’s creeks and streams provide cooling entertainment from the elements. People have long used these waterways for recreation activities, such as fishing, walking, swimming, and canoeing; unsuspecting of the dangers. Most bacteria are harmless, but certain types can cause complications and disease. The flesh eating bacteria Aeromonas Hydrophila, can create unthinkable devastation through minor cuts and scratches; causing sickness, amputation, and even death. The world has thousands of micro-living organisms called bacteria, these unicellular microorganisms have cell walls, but no structured nucleus, some of these microorganisms can cause disease (Hogan, 2005). Thousands of bacteria inhibit our environment every day, many of them unidentified but not all of them are unhealthy. Bacterial cells consist of shapes; spherical, rodlike, spiral, helical, and comm-shaped (Lerner, 2005). The...
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...Scott Lewis 2/28/2013 Dr. Satre BIO 251 Necrotizing Fasciitis One of the most common skin infections known are bacterial infections; they have a wide range of severity, from merely annoying to deadly. Most bacterial skin infections are caused by two bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus and a form of Streptococcus. In the case of Necrotizing Fasciitis, bacteria are usually the cause. Some of the bacteria that have been found to cause this infection include group A Streptococcus, which is group A strep, Klebsiella, Clostridium, E. Coli, Staphylococcus areus, and Aeromonas hydrophila. Because of its effect on skin, Necrotizing Fasciitis is sometimes called flesh-eating bacteria. This infection is very rare but also very serious; about 1 out of 4 people who come in contact with this infection die from it. It is important to always clean wounds and cover them after getting them because the most common way of getting Necrotizing Fasciitis is when the bacteria enter the body through a break in the skin such as a cut, scrape, burn, insect bite, or puncture wound. Symptoms may develop quickly, sometimes as soon as 24 hours after a minor skin injury. The rapid onset of symptoms that occurs is a very important clue that you may need to seek medical attention. It is more likely for people to be affected by this bacterial infection who have other health problems that may lower the body’s ability to fight infection. Many chronic health conditions that weaken the body’s immune system...
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...Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare and rapidly progressing skin disease caused by a bacterial infection. It affects the subcutaneous cellular tissue and superficial fascia (type of fibrous connective tissue which surrounds muscles, blood vessels and nerves in the body) causing necrosis of the tissue. [1] A B Figure 1 A. Medical illustration depicting normal epidermal, dermal and subcutaneous anatomy. B. Medical illustration of advanced necrotizing fasciitis with necrosis of skin, vascular thrombosis and involvement of underlying muscle. Source: Musculoskeletal Illustrations, Frank Corl [2] Disease symptoms & Diagnosis The disease symptoms include small, red and painful lumps on the skin which rapidly turn into painful bruise-like areas...
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...Pyogenic Granuloma Pyogenic granuloma is a growth (lesion) that forms on the skin or on the mucous membranes of the mouth. This type of growth is a lump of very red tissue that bleeds easily. A pyogenic granuloma is usually a single lesion that most often affects the: • Head and neck. • Mucous membranes of the mouth or tongue. • Upper body. • Hands and feet. A pyogenic granuloma usually measures about 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) , but lesions can be smaller or larger. This condition does not spread from person to person (not contagious). The lesion is not cancerous (benign). CAUSES A pyogenic granuloma results from a reaction of your skin or mucous membranes. The reaction causes a mound of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) to form a lesion. This often happens after a minor injury, like pricking your skin or biting your lip or tongue. Sometimes it occurs without an injury. The exact cause of the reaction is not known. RISK FACTORS The condition is more likely to develop in: • Pregnant women. • Children and young adults. • People who take certain medicines, especially acne treatment drugs, birth control pills, and some medicines used to treat cancer or HIV/AIDS. SYMPTOMS A raised or lumpy lesion that is very red is the main sign of this condition. The lesion may also: • Have a crusty, ulcerated surface. • Bleed easily. • Be slightly sore. DIAGNOSIS This condition is diagnosed based on your symptoms and medical history, especially if you recently had an injury...
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...The general public and even some medical professionals lack in depth information on Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF). Most Americans have not heard of NF or do not have enough information about it to know what actions to take. NF is commonly misdiagnosed and potentially fatal because it is not caught in time. I will discuss what NF is, it’s causes, describe clinical presentation, treatment options, and the prognosis of this disease. In hopes that more people can be made aware of this deadly disease. Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) has been called the “flesh eating bacteria” by the media. This past summer there were a few cases of NF on Galveston beaches. Most likely it was caused by the strain Dr. Edlich talks about in his paper Necrotizing Fasciitis:...
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...Streptococcus pyogenes Strep throat is a common bacterial infection among college students. This year within the first few weeks I acquired the bacterial infection know as strep caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. I thought it would be interesting to research because I have had strep many times in my life and I am also very allergic to many of the antibiotics which treat strep throat. Classification of an organism tells a lot about its characteristics. This particular species of bacteria comes from the domain-prokaryotes; kingdom- bacteria; phylum-Firmicutes; Class-Bacilli; Order- Lactobacillales; Family- Streptococcaceae; Genus- Streptococcus; Species- Streptococcus pyogenes. This species has no nuclear membrane-genetic material is floating freely in the cytoplasm- and no membrane bound organelles besides ribosomes which reside in the cytoplasm. They are only a few micrometers long and widely differentiate in shape, yet they grow in long chains. This species of bacteria is a gram-positive lactic acid bacterium. The good thing about gram-positive cells, which we have learned in class, is that that are easily treated with antibiotics. This species release large amounts of hemoglobin. Streptococcus pyogenes, starts as an infection on the surface of the skin or throat and begins to eat away at your flesh, causing severe pain and burning of the throat. As the bacterium spreads deeper and deeper it becomes more and more sever. The word pyogenes comes from pyogenic which...
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...disease that has similar symptoms associated with Necrotizing Fasciitis, an infection commonly caused by toxins released by Streptococcus pyognes. Although necrotizing fasciitis was linked to the symptoms experienced by the victims, other diseases were also found to have a possible connection to this infection. The purpose of this investigation was to inform the public of the probable cause of the infection and possible ways to prevent it, while comparing it to disease portrayed in the film Cabin Fever. The infection seen in Cabin Fever can be closely compared to necrotizing fasciitis. Necrotizing Fasciitis, also known as “flesh eating disease”, is an infection that was found to derive...
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... Ankle and foot pain is a common occurrence amongst many people due to the stress and amount of strain placed on people's feet on their active and busy lives. Ankle and foot injury or pain can stop people to perform their routine activities. This can occur as a result of injury due to overuse of a certain sport, standing, excessive walking or the amount of strain and stress placed on the foot during work. For treatment of ankle and foot injury, a holistic ankle sprain is applied whereby the approach looks at the symptoms involved and how this is impacting the affected ankle. The method takes an approach that entirely checks the medical problem involved. A holistic foot health practitioner uses all the latest technological options to treat foot patients. This includes digital technology such as X-ray, which immediately allows the foot practitioner to see any issue on a patient's foot. This procedure provides a better understanding of the structure of both foot and the ankle. Custom Orthotics Orthotics are special made insoles, produced on the prescription that only fits within shoes to perk up the biomechanics of the foot along with lower limb. Orthotics assists where the normal supporting tissues are not working perfectly. However, treatment is neither a cure nor will it make a lifelong change in the muscles or the tissues. However, with orthotics help, it will be a bit of good fortune, enable your body to repair any extreme harm in-order that the tissues are healthy once...
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...Pain in the feet is something that everyone experiences at one point in his or her lifetime. Most of the time, the aches and pain go away by itself. However, sometimes the pain may continue or worsen. So how do you know the difference between needing rest and needing a podiatrist? Here are four telltale signs: 1. Pain In Your Heel Heel pain can be blamed on a lot of things: shoes, improper gait, and exercise to name a few. While your shoes or gait may cause mild pain, severe pain usually warrants the attention of a podiatrist. If the pain persists for several days, it may be indicative of something more severe, like plantar fasciitis. Other times heel pain needs attention include worsening pain and pain that is more severe during specific parts...
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...Data bases searched 2005 to 2014 | Key words used | Number of studies found | Cochrane Google scholar | Plantar fasciitis treatment | Systematic reviews | 0 | | | Randomised controlled studies ( RCTs) | 4 | | | Controlled trails | 0 | | | Case studies | 0 | Effectiveness of calf muscle stretching for the short term treatment of plantar heel pain: a randomized trial Joel A. Radford, Karl B. Landorf, Rachelle buchbinder and Catherine Cook Goal: Randomized sham controlled trial to determine whether calf muscle stretching is an effective short term treatment for plantar heel pain Strengths * Used the Foot Health Status Questionnaire which has proven good reliability * Decent sample size (n=92) * Moderate success of blinding Weaknesses * Some of the patients in the stretching group had to discontinue stretching due to pain (this is important to note in the patient handout) * Only demonstrated one way of stretching the calf Conclusion: Calf muscle stretching is not recommended for plantar heel pain Level of scientific evidence: 2 Degrees of recommendation: C/D Cryoultrasound therapy in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis with heel spurs. A randomized controlled clinical study C. Costantino, M.C. Vulpiani, D. Romiti, M. Vetrano, V.M. Saraceni Goal: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of cryoultrasound therapy, in comparison to cryotherapy alone Strengths: * Decent sample size (n=84) * No reported side effects or complications ...
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...Planter fasciitis is the mostly common musculoskeletal pathologies of the footpad [1]. Plantar fasciitis is a tissues syndrome of the plantar fascia resulting from repeated trauma at its origin on the calcaneus [2]. The word term “fasciitis” assumes that the inflammation is an essential component of the foot condition [2]. Plantar fasciitis is a painful disorder that involves the planter positioning side of the heel. It can be acute or chronic and is identify by pain in the bottom of foot, along the arch and the heel bone [1]. Plantar fasciitis has been reported to account for approximately about 10 percent of injuries that occur in connection with running [3]. Plantar fasciitis an inflammation of the plantar fascia is one of the most common causes of foot pain in which pain and tenderness are located inferiorly at the plantar fascia origin....
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...continue to participate in the sport. There are really no preparations to playing tennis that will cause the injury, but there are many injuries that can occur while actually playing. First you need to reserve a court, get tennis, a racket, and the proper clothing. Most importantly you need the correct sports shoe. Finally you are ready to go and play tennis, don’t forget to stay properly hydrated when doing any intense activates such as tennis. There are many hazards and injuries that your body can sustain while playing tennis. The first thing comes to my head is a groin strain, luckily that has never occurred to me while playing. Since you are running the whole time on your feet on a hard surface, it is a possibly to cause a plantar fasciitis. Lastly with the force that your shoulder endures while serving the tennis ball at high speeds, could possibly cause a rotar cuff injury. The possibility of having all these injuries is very likely, and there could be more if you are not careful. Although not all injuries can be prevented like we have discussed in the personal injury discussions, there are some steps you can take to lessen the chance of getting hurt. All of the example of injuries above can easily be prevented by the stretching before, warming up, stretching after, and not being too reckless. Stretching is so important for any sport. Stretching warms up your muscles, and prevents any possible strains. People often forget to stretch after a workout, but it is very beneficial...
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...Running barefoot cause less collision because you get more forceful impacts. Last body weight shod heel- strikes repeatedly experience. One reason running barefoot cause less Collison is because your foot won’t hurt after you done running as bad with shoes on. And you well fell a differed without having shoes on your feet because you well be more conformable. Without having shoes on its better cause a lot of people go outside with shoes and they run without shoes on so it’s best to run barefoot outside. Another reason is running on balls of the feet avoid more forceful impacts because its more helpful on the bottom of your...
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