necrotizing fasciitis

noun

: a severe soft tissue infection that is caused by bacteria (such as Group A streptococci or MRSA) and is marked by edema and necrosis of subcutaneous tissues with involvement of adjacent fascia and by painful red swollen skin over affected areas
If the infection occurred on the skin or underlying tissue as through a cut, necrotizing fasciitis could develop, literally eating away deep muscle and other soft tissue, eventually causing organ failure and death.Shannon Thompkins

called also flesh-eating disease

Examples of necrotizing fasciitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The list of potential culprits includes group A Streptococcus, which is not only a common type of bacteria generally but is also thought to be a common cause of necrotizing fasciitis. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 12 June 2023 If identified promptly, necrotizing fasciitis can be treated with antibiotics and surgery, sometimes including amputation. Gabrielle M. Etzel, Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2023 Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, necrotizing fasciitis is a flesh-eating disease caused by a rare bacterial infection, which develops after bacteria enters the body through cuts, scrapes, burns or insect bites. Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2024 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, necrotizing fasciitis is a rare, quick-spreading bacterial infection that can cause death Saltburn actor Barry Keoghan is opening up about a health scare that almost took his life. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 9 Jan. 2024 Many of the infections have been due to Aeromonas bacteria, which live in brackish water and can cause severe skin reactions ranging from mild cellulitis — red, swollen and painful skin — to necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease. Jeremy Childs, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2023 Some vibrio vulnificus can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection that causes the flesh around open wounds to die, leading many to call the bacteria 'flesh-eating. Gabrielle M. Etzel, Washington Examiner, 23 Aug. 2023 Five people have died so far this year from flesh-eating bacteria, according to data from the Florida Department of Health. Vibrio vulnificus, or necrotizing fasciitis, is an infection which causes painful swelling and blisters over a wound site. Justine Griffin Tampa Bay Times (tns), al, 22 Aug. 2023 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some Vibrio vulnificus infections lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection in which the flesh around an open wound dies. Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 19 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'necrotizing fasciitis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of necrotizing fasciitis was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near necrotizing fasciitis

Cite this Entry

“Necrotizing fasciitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necrotizing%20fasciitis. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

necrotizing fasciitis

noun
: a severe infection of soft tissue that is caused by bacteria (such as Group A streptococci or MRSA) and is marked by edema and necrosis of subcutaneous tissue with involvement of adjacent fascia and by painful red swollen skin over affected areas
On incision, clues such as fat necrosis … and thrombosis of subcutaneous veins … would suggest necrotizing fasciitis.Michael R. Filbin et al., The New England Journal of Medicine
If the infection occurred on the skin or underlying tissue as through a cut, necrotizing fasciitis could develop, literally eating away deep muscle and other soft tissue, eventually causing organ failure and death.Shannon Tompkins, The Houston Chronicle

called also flesh-eating disease

Note: Necrotizing fasciitis usually occurs as a complication of surgery, injury, or infection by extension from the initially affected site.

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