Category: <span>Media Coverage</span>

Lisa Hunt didn’t win the Rock ’n’ Roll San Antonio Half Marathon on Sunday, but then again, she’s not dead either. That was a possibility for the 44-year-old teacher back in 2012, a few weeks after she ran in the 2011 version of the full marathon. You and I might view Hunt’s journey after that as either a mysterious tragedy that altered Hunt’s life forever or as intangible proof the human spirit cannot be destroyed.

Read about Lisa Hunt here: Teacher runs race, reclaims her life – San Antonio Express-News.… Read the rest

Media Coverage Necrotizing Fasciitis

This is a brief, fact-packed article on the pathology of the flesh-eating bacteria.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 700 to 1,100 cases of necrotizing fasciitis caused by group A streptococcus have occurred yearly since 2010. Although the disease primarily affects the young and old and those with underlying chronic conditions, it may also develop in healthy individuals. Transmission occurs person-to-person, many times through a break in the skin.

Source: Cytotoxins contribute to virulence of deadly epidemic bacterial infections: Severity of group A Streptococcus infections, including ‘flesh-eating disease,’ attributed to presence of 2 toxins — ScienceDailyRead the rest

Diagnosis Media Coverage

A toddler almost died after a bout of chickenpox turned into a horrific flesh-eating infection that left gaping wounds in his neck. Charlie Cave, from Kempston, Bedfordshire, was just 13-months-old when he developed the early stages of necrotising fasciitis.

Charlie survived, but I have been unable to find any updates on his condition. These kinds of articles, although often sensational, generally contain some helpful information about diagnosing, treating, and recovering from necrotizing fasciitis. So, we will continue to spread the word.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3727958/Toddler-died-bout-chickenpox-turned-horrific-flesh-eating-necrotising-fasciitis-destroyed-little-boy-s-neck.html#ixzz4Vssf5Pnc

Also see: Toddler Gets Infected By Necrotizing Fasciitis During Chickenpox And It Almost Killed HimRead the rest

Diagnosis Media Coverage

For those of us who have survived something like the flesh-eating bacteria or who are living with a debilitating disease or physical condition, it’s good to get a fresh perspective from someone like Cindy Martinez. She is:

a Gwinnett County woman [who] simply doesn’t have the words “I can’t” in her vocabulary. Source: Flesh-eating bacteria survivor inspires others – Story | WAGA

These kinds of stories can, at first, seem a bit discouraging for someone like me, who will never be able to accomplish the feats that Cindy has. Others with multiple amputations may just want to give up after reading an article like this.… Read the rest

Life After NF Media Coverage

A 12-year-old Michigan boy is battling illness after being infected by flesh-eating bacteria that caused him to lose most of his left leg.

Dakarai Moore, Jr. was an active child until August 11, when he developed a fever and a greenish-colored rash on the bottom of his feet…

Please keep Dakarai Moore in your thoughts and prayers. You can read about him here: Detroit boy loses leg after contracting flesh-eating bacteria | Fox NewsRead the rest

Diagnosis Media Coverage

It’s great to see someone battle back after their ordeal with necrotizing fasciitis and a brush with death.

Haxton had been an elite rower in high school at Upper Arlington and for months after his illness, Blake had no plans to try adaptive rowing. But with some urging, he discovered the sport and quickly realized he was a natural. He was soon among the best in America.

We share a similar perspective, which may come from extended time unconscious or in a coma: the ordeal is worse for family and friends, watching this disease devour us in real time, while we are “off somewhere.”… Read the rest

Life After NF Media Coverage

Here’s another inspirational story about a young man, who just wouldn’t quit.

Giancarlo Gil, 14, began feeling sick Sept. 19, and doctors later had to amputate his right leg up to his hip to stem the spread of necrotizing fasciitis. He underwent 11 surgeries and was listed in critical condition until late last month, according to the hospital.

Source: Boy battling flesh-eating bacteria close to going home | FOX5 San Diego – San Diego news, weather, traffic, sports from KSWBRead the rest

Diagnosis Life After NF Media Coverage Treatment

Diagnosis Life After NF Media Coverage Resources

I thought this was a short, informative article to kick off the summer with. And, please notice that I’m leading off with this pull quote:

These infections are extremely rare,” said Amy Kirby, an assistant research professor at Emory University’s Center for Global Safe Water. There were only 88 cases of necrotizing fasciitis recorded in the U.S in 2013.

Whatever you do, please don’t give in to fear. It’s important to remember that, although the bacteria is common, necrotizing fasciitis and other diseases resulting from exposure to these bacteria are rare and, to some degree, preventable. If you will be swimming this summer, as I will be, remember to bathe afterwards, clean and disinfect any wounds you may have.… Read the rest

Media Coverage Resources

Diagnosis Life After NF Media Coverage

When I saw this woman in her Jobst garments and mask, it brought back a flood of memories. Many victims of necrotizing fasciitis are treated in burn units or go through some kind of plastic surgery and reconstruction. For skin grafts, Jobst pressure garments act as a second skin, flattening the scars, aiding the vascular system, and helping the sub derma to recover.

I wore them from the tips of the toes on my left leg, like a bicycle short on my right leg and all the way up to my chest in a “tank top” style suit. I had some serious keloid scarring at the donor sites on my rib cage.… Read the rest

Life After NF Media Coverage Treatment

NF T ShirtAre you a necrotizing fasciitis survivor? Then you can be a traveling billboard for the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation and support them financially, at the same time. I got my t-shirt last week and it fits just right. Order yours here.… Read the rest

Life After NF Media Coverage Resources

There are many strains of bacteria that cause the flesh-eating disease necrotizing fasciitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are about 9,000 to 11,500 cases of group A streptococcus bacteria, one cause of necrotizing fasciitis, each year. Of them, only 6% to 7% are invasive. More commonly, the bacteria results in infections such as strep throat or a skin infection called impetigo.

The CDC says that about 25% of patients who have necrotizing fasciitis die. Canada has 90 to 200 cases per year, with a fatality rate of 20% to 30%, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Read the rest

Media Coverage

I’d like you to meet my new mates from Australia:  Adrian the sound man and Malcolm the cameraman. They were sent to our home by Beyond International to film a vignette for the television program Medical Incredible on the Discovery Health Channel. Since my miraculous healing and recovery from necrotizing fasciitis, the flesh eating bacteria, I’ve been contacted a number of times by producers of similar programs, but our plans always fell through. So, I didn’t want to broadcast this adventure until it actually materialized.

It was so much fun. They shot me running over the hill to our house about five times, up and down our street a few times, and the entire length of Gethsemane St.… Read the rest

Film Life After NF Media Coverage Necrotizing Fasciitis Our Story