Wednesday, April 24, 2024 18:48
Infectious diseases caused by “fulminant hemolytic streptococcus,” also known as flesh-eating bacteria and which have a mortality rate of 30%, are increasing at the highest pace ever in 2024. Infectious disease specialists are sounding the alarm, not only in metropolitan areas but also in rural areas, saying that there is a possibility of an epidemic in one or two years. How is it infected and what symptoms occur? And what about precautions? We asked a doctor who deals with infectious diseases.
What is fulminant hemolytic streptococcal infection?
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, hemolytic streptococcus (so-called hemolytic streptococcus) is a bacterium that generally causes acute pharyngitis, but in rare cases, fulminant hemolytic streptococcal infection is a serious condition that can be caused. (STSS) is known.
*In this article, hemolytic streptococcus will be referred to as “hemolytic streptococcus.”
It is also called “flesh-eating bacteria” because when it develops, it causes necrosis around the muscles. Streptococcus has the image of being a disease that often affects children, but doctors believe that there is a big difference in severity and speed between normal streptococcus and “fulminant” streptococcus.
Dr. Kentaro Nagaoka, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Toyama Hospital: “Streptococcus itself is a bacteria that lives in the human body and throat, and when the immune system is weakened, symptoms such as swelling and pain in the throat appear.Normal streptococcus The infection gradually worsens as you put up with the symptoms for a few days, but in the fulminant form, it only takes a few hours before you notice that it hurts or something is wrong. The severity and speed are completely different, and the infection occurs in the fascia deeper under the skin.Initial symptoms include pain in the extremities, swelling and fever, and the patient becomes unconscious within a few hours. After that, death may occur due to multiple organ failure or respiratory disease.
Tags: Flesheating bacteria mortality rate Infection spreading rural areas Invasion cuts scrapes Fulminant hemolytic streptococcus Toyama Toyama Prefecture News Tulip page
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