Injection drug users may become infected by sharing dirty needles, or if the drug itself is contaminated. Last year, an outbreak of the disease, called necrotizing fasciitis, killed five drug users in San Francisco. Four of the deaths were tied to a contaminated batch of black tar heroin from Mexico, and the fifth was from injecting methamphetamine. She says the latest infections stem from a variety of different strains. Officials have sent out an alert to clinics and health care providers in the county to watch for suspected cases of necrotizing fasciitis.
Time is of the essence for survival.
Caught early, the disease can be treated with antibiotics. Early symptoms may include pain in the general area of the infection site, diarrhea, nausea, and fever. Patients should seek immediate care if they notice swelling, redness, or warmth developing in the wound area. The disease typically is caused by streptococcus A bacteria, often found in the throat and on the skin. The same bacteria are responsible for strep throat infections.