The onset of gas gangrene is sudden and dramatic. Inflammation begins at the site of infection as pale to brownish-red extremely painful tissue swelling . Gas may be felt in the tissue as a crackly sensation when the swollen area is pressed with the fingers. The margins of the infected area expand so rapidly that changes are visible over a few minutes of time. The involved tissue is completely destroyed.
Systemic symptoms develop early in the infection.
These consist of sweating , fever , and anxiety . Tests Shock may be present, as evidenced by general pallor , cold extremities, low blood pressure , and rapid heart rate . A gram stain of fluid from the infected area shows gram positive rods and spoke formation. An X-ray , CT scan, or MRI of the area shows gas in the tissues. Amputation may be indicated to control the spread of infection.