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

Examples of necrotizing fasciitis in a Sentence

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The threat of necrotizing fasciitis, known commonly as flesh-eating bacteria, which can be contracted in surprising ways. — Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE.com, "Summer Has Arrived — Here's How to Avoid Flesh-Eating Bacteria & More Warm Weather Health Hazards," 5 June 2018 Perez, of Millville, contracted Vibrio necrotizing fasciitis, a rare bacterial infection, and is in critical condition at Cooper University Hospital, New Jersey Advance Media reported. — Caitlin Keating, PEOPLE.com, "Father Who Contracted Flesh-Eating Bacteria While Crabbing in N.J. Now Faces Losing All 4 Limbs," 10 July 2018 The infection that has been linked to these medications is called necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum, or Fournier’s gangrene, and the FDA is now requiring that a warning be added to the prescribing information of these pills about this risk. — Korin Miller, SELF, "The FDA Warns That Certain Type 2 Diabetes Meds Have Been Linked to a Rare Genital Infection," 30 Aug. 2018 Since 2010, about 600 to 1,200 Americans are diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis each year, though the CDC notes this may be an underestimate. — Jason Duaine Hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Grandmother, 50, Died from Flesh-Eating Bacteria Possibly Contracted on Vacation, Family Says," 14 May 2018 In August 2016, Moore contracted a rare flesh-eating disease called necrotizing fasciitis, putting him on the brink of death. — Chris Nelsen, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers' Matthew Boyd a 'real best friend' to double amputee teen," 1 June 2018 Since 2010, about 600 to 1,200 Americans are diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis each year, though the CDC notes this may be an underestimate. — Jason Duaine Hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Grandmother, 50, Died from Flesh-Eating Bacteria Possibly Contracted on Vacation, Family Says," 14 May 2018 According to the Centers for Disease Control necrotizing fasciitis is a serious bacterial skin infection that only affects between 600 and 1200 people in the United States each year. — Doug Phillips, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Woman dies from flesh-eating bacteria after Florida vacation, reports say," 11 May 2018 Raul Reyes appears to be a victim of the flesh-eating infection necrotizing fasciitis, of which there have been about 1,000 cases in the United States since 2010. — James Hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Democratic committees divided over playing in primaries, with Texas as ground zero," 5 Mar. 2018

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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Last Updated

12 Dec 2018

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The first known use of necrotizing fasciitis was in 1952

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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.