necrotizing fasciitis

noun

Definition of necrotizing fasciitis

: 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 Vibrio vulnificus infections can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection in which the flesh surrounding an open wound dies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 29 May 2021 The other possibility was a deeper infection called necrotizing fasciitis. — Robert Pearl, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2021 Vibrio vulnificus can also cause necrotizing fasciitis, a rare but incredibly serious bacterial infection that spreads quickly in the body and can lead to death, the CDC says. — Korin Miller, Health.com, 15 Sep. 2020 She was informed the ailment was necrotizing fasciitis — a rare but deadly bacterial infection that kills the body's soft tissue, reports CBS Local. — Danielle Garrand, CBS News, 26 Sep. 2019 As many as one-third of people with necrotizing fasciitis die from infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. — USA Today, 13 Dec. 2019 Along with multiple small bowel perforations, doctors found necrotizing fasciitis, a fast-moving bacterial infection that can follow surgery. — USA Today, 13 Dec. 2019 The specific type of bacteria that commonly causes necrotizing fasciitis (or flesh-eating bacteria), a strain of group A strep, can be extremely aggressive, says Dr. Raabe. — Christina Oehler, Health.com, 27 Aug. 2019 The most important thing is that somebody suspects that necrotizing fasciitis exists. — Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, 26 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'necrotizing fasciitis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

11 Jun 2021

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“Necrotizing fasciitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necrotizing%20fasciitis. Accessed 23 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for necrotizing fasciitis

necrotizing fasciitis

noun

Medical Definition of necrotizing fasciitis

: 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, 29 Jan. 2009 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, 23 Aug. 2009

— 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.