NF is a severe infection involving the soft tissue below the skin, particularly the fascia. It can affect any part of the body but it is most common on the legs. Streptococcal necrotising fasciitis is a rare condition with approximately 1000 reported cases a year in this country. It can also be carried on the skin.
Children are more likely to be carries than adults.
Strep.pyogenes may also be found in the environment where it may persist for weeks in dust and on furnishings . The common infections caused by Strep.pyogenes are sore throats and skin infections, which are easily treated. Most types of Strep.pyogenes do not cause serious human infections, but a few types have this ability and can cause infections deep within the body including necrotising fasciitis. All are serious, life threatening and require urgent investigation and treatment. In most half the cases, the source of the deep infection is never determined.