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http://patients.about.com/od/hospitalinfectiontypes/a/Avoiding-Necrotizing-Fasciitis-The-Flesh-Eating-Disease-While-Hospitalized.htm
The bacteria can spread rapidly through the body (sepsis), and needs to be treated quickly. Many patients suffer permanent scarring and may even require amputation of a limb. About 25% of the patients who are infected with necrotizing fasciitis will die from the infection. According to the CDC, 10,000 - 15,000 American patients per year are infected with necrotizing fasciitis. Of them 2,000 to 3,000 die.
Most hospital cases of necrotizing fasciitis occur in patients who have open wounds, in particular those who have either had surgery, or have been hospitalized due to an injury-causing accident. Because of the nature of the infection, necrotizing fasciitis is not a hospital infection that patients can do much to control except to be sure that the wounds stay clean.
The bacteria can spread rapidly through the body (sepsis), and needs to be treated quickly. Many patients suffer permanent scarring and may even require amputation of a limb. About 25% of the patients who are infected with necrotizing fasciitis will die from the infection. According to the CDC, 10,000 - 15,000 American patients per year are infected with necrotizing fasciitis. Of them 2,000 to 3,000 die.
Most hospital cases of necrotizing fasciitis occur in patients who have open wounds, in particular those who have either had surgery, or have been hospitalized due to an injury-causing accident. Because of the nature of the infection, necrotizing fasciitis is not a hospital infection that patients can do much to control except to be sure that the wounds stay clean.