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Science Round-Up: Time to take flesh-eating disease seriously, concedes Danish health authority
Mariesa Brahms
September 21st, 2021
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Symptoms are often too easily dismissed, but Sundhedstyrrelsen now wants to raise awareness of the deadly bacterial infection
If someone shows symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis, every second counts. (photo: Pxfuel.com)
The first appearance of necrotizing fasciitis on Danish television, via the documentary ‘de kodaedende bakterier’, raised a lot of awareness of a disease whose symptoms are often overlooked.
The documentary featured many examples in which patients with the flesh-eating disease, which is contracted via a carnivorous bacteria, were turned away by doctors.
The disease can be fatal if left untreated.
Sundheldsstyrelsen on the watch
But now DR reports that Søren Brostrøm, the head of the Sundhedsstyrelsen health authority, wants to collaborate with the regions to ensure people with the disease are treated quickly.
He has therefore revised guidance procedures for emergency doctors throughout Denmark.
Removal and antibiotics
The symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis vary, but most sufferers experience grave pain in the affected area, along with fever, shivering and vomiting.
The best way to treat it is to remove the infected tissue and put the patient on a course of antibiotics.
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