I had just stumbled upon a thread where necrotizing fasciitis was brought up. And I started researching and found out that it is caused by the bacteria Strep A that has invaded body tissue. The victim usually starts out with some type of cut or trauma to the skin, is then exposed to the virus, and within a day could be dead if not treated immediately.
This made me wonder what other types of conditions there are that, if not treated IMMEDIATELY, can lead to severe consequences or even death. I have read that NF is relatively rare, but I'm still glad to be aware of it. (If you think it's weird that I was previously unaware, I'm not in nursing school for another semester hence my lack of knowledge)
Anyway, please list some of these types of conditions that you think are important to be made aware of.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis - Rotting of intestinal walls, usually in newborns. My best friend had this as a newborn and has a wicked surgical scar to prove it.
Yes it's rare, but not that rare that you won't encounter it. In 2.5 yrs I have cared for 3 people with it.
Yes I have seen the after effects of it on someone a few years back... my description is gross so don't read it if you get queasy but heck this is a nurse site so I guess we will be okay..... I have never seen a grosser 'wound' in my life.....and let me tell you....you lose things/tissue....you would never want to lose....The only way to describe it is if you took off your underwear and along with it came all your subcu tissue etc....it actually looked like the cadavers in the anatomy books you see all the same structures...muscles etc.....(they lived see but needed recons surgery/grafts etc.)..EVERY cut is important and should be treated....just like the antibiotic ointment commercial...
NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN
1,110 Posts
Extravisations.
Not lethal, but the treatment window for the antidote is 30-60 minutes.