Symptoms of Flesh-eating Bacteria
The early signs of a flesh-eating bacterial infection typically manifest within the first 24 hours of the infection. The symptoms are comparable to those of other illnesses, such as the flu or a less severe skin infection. Early signs and symptoms resemble common post-surgical issues like:
- severe pain
- Symptoms of inflammation
- fever
- nausea [8]
Symptoms often include the combination of the following:
- Swelling and increasing agony around a small cut, abrasion, or other skin injury.
- Pain that is more severe than would be predicted based on how the cut or abrasion looks.
- Although symptoms can start in other parts of the body, the area around the wound is red and heated.
- Symptoms that resemble the flu, including weakness, fatigue, nausea, disorientation, fever, and diarrhea.
- Extreme thirst as a result of dehydration.
Within three to four days of infection, the painful infection site begins to exhibit more severe symptoms. They consist of:
- Possible swelling and a purple rash
- large, violet-colored spots that enlarge to become blisters and contain a foul-smelling, dark fluid
- Discoloration, peeling, and flakiness as gangrene takes hold are symptoms of tissue death
Critical signs and symptoms include the following and usually appear 4–5 days after infection:
- significant lowering of blood pressure
- Toxic shock
- Unconsciousness