Deadly flesh eating infection kills over 500 people in Japan

Japan: Over 500 people have been killed in Japan due to a deadly flesh eating infection. This has taken Japanese authorities by storm and the scientists are puzzled.

According to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, about 525 patients have been affected with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS).

It is so dangerous that it could kill an individual within couple of hours by causing multiple organ failure.

Causes:

STSS is reportedly caused by a bacterium called streptococcus pyogenes, better known as group A streptococcus.
It is known to bring on strep throat among children.

Symptoms:

• Swelling and pain in the hands and feet
• Patients could also suffer from fever
• Ken Kikuchi, a professor of infectious diseases at Tokyo Women’s Medical University told that “The signs of an STSS-infected area likely appear from the feet.” He also added that “The elderly should be careful about swelling of their feet and go see a doctor immediately when swelling appears.”
• Patients may suffer from multiple organ failure if the bacteria that necrotizes muscle tissue spreads.

Cases:

STSS recently made headlines when an American model and athlete Lauren Wasser revealed that she suffered from the flesh-eating disease. This led her right leg being amputated.

The infection has high rate of mortality, and the survival rates are less than fifty percent.
There is a chance for survival if patients are treated in time with antibiotics