necrotizing fasciitis

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

Examples of necrotizing fasciitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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, "Woman says she almost lost hand to flesh-eating bacteria after getting manicure at nail salon," 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, "When plastic surgery goes wrong, patients are left to pay for uninsured doctors’ mistakes," 13 Dec. 2019 Along with multiple small bowel perforations, doctors found necrotizing fasciitis, a fast-moving bacterial infection that can follow surgery. — USA Today, "When plastic surgery goes wrong, patients are left to pay for uninsured doctors’ mistakes," 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, "Can You Get Flesh Eating Bacteria From a Pool?," 27 Aug. 2019 The most important thing is that somebody suspects that necrotizing fasciitis exists. — Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "Flesh-eating bacteria: What you need to know," 26 June 2019 The spot doubled in size during his stay and was later identified as necrotizing fasciitis, which is a rare bacterial infection that spreads quickly and is caused by the presence of bacteria known as vibrio vulnificus. — Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, "Woman says dad died in Florida after contracting flesh-eating bacteria," 15 July 2019 In the article, a team of infectious disease specialists at Cooper University Health Care in Camden, New Jersey, describe five cases of V. vulnificus necrotizing fasciitis that occurred during the summer of 2017 and 2018. — NBC News, "Is climate change to blame for a rise in 'flesh-eating' bacteria cases? Doctors say yes," 17 June 2019 Although deadly, the CDC says a bacterial infection like necrotizing fasciitis can be prevented if wounds are given good care. — Elinor Aspegren, USA TODAY, "She died of flesh-eating bacteria after a beach trip. Now her family wants to warn others," 26 Apr. 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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Dictionary Entries near necrotizing fasciitis

necrotic stomatitis

necrotize

necrotizing

necrotizing fasciitis

necrotype

nect-

-nectae

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Cite this Entry

“Necrotizing fasciitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necrotizing%20fasciitis. Accessed 15 Jul. 2020.

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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.