The family of an elderly San Marcos man wants to spread a message after he died last month from a flesh-eating bacteria following a fishing trip on the Texas Gulf Coast.
His family took him to a Victoria hospital where he was immediately diagnosed with vibrio and underwent surgery. He did not survive.
According to the CDC, the infection often spreads very quickly. Early symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis can include:
- A red or swollen area of skin that spreads quickly
- Severe pain, including pain beyond the area of the skin that is red or swollen
- Fever
See a doctor right away if you have these symptoms after an injury or surgery. Even though minor illnesses can cause symptoms like these, people should not delay getting medical care.
The infection caused by Enterococcus is completely different from the infection caused by Vibrio Vulnificus or Group A Streptococcus, which is associated with what people refer to as “flesh-eating bacteria.”
“It’s very rare, Necrotizing Fasciitis is a complication from an infection, so, the most common bacteria that causes the Necrotizing Fasciitis is Group A Streptococcus, it can also be caused by Vibrio Vulnificus, which is a naturally occurring bacteria that lives in warm marine waters,” said Scully.
Unlike Vibrio Vulnificus, Group A Strep can be found in places other than saltwater, meaning you don’t have to enter the gulf to contract it.
Last week, it was reported an Alabama man had contracted Necrotizing Fasciitis in Panama City Beach. According to the report, it was a strand of strep, Group A Strep. FDOH-Bay County says it can’t be confirmed that case of Necrotizing Fasciitis was contracted in Panama City Beach due to it being caused by Group A Strep.
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