necrotizing fasciitis

noun

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

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

Recent Examples of necrotizing fasciitis from the Web

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
The next morning, doctors discovered Lipinski’s pain had stemmed from a deadly, flesh-eating disease called necrotizing fasciitis.

— jason duaine hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Mom of Three with Flu Diagnosis Is Now Hospitalized with Flesh-Eating Disease," 23 Jan. 2018
In Portland, the surreal nightmare continued as surgeons tried to stay ahead of the rare but deadly infection, known as necrotizing fasciitis, by amputating parts of the boy's body.

— CBS News, "Oregon boy, 8, dies from flesh-eating bacteria," 26 Jan. 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, "8-Year-Old Dies From Rare Flesh-Eating Bacteria: Doctors 'Kept Cutting and Hoping', Mother Says," 25 Jan. 2018
Vibriosis is separate, however, from necrotizing fasciitis, commonly called a flesh-eating infection, which is caused by bacteria like group A strep, E. coli, and staph, according to the CDC.

— sarah klein, Health.com, "A Woman Died From 'Flesh-Eating' Bacteria After Eating Raw Oysters. Here's What You Need to Know," 9 Jan. 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.

First Known Use of necrotizing fasciitis

1952

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

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.