A critically ill Connecticut woman has been treated for the same life-threatening flesh-eating infection plaguing Japan.
The American woman was admitted to a local hospital after experiencing symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, shortness of breath, palpitations and low blood pressure.
Subsequent medical tests revealed fluid accumulation in the patient’s lungs as well as respiratory and renal failure.
Doctors are treating the woman’s illness as the result of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), a deadly bacterial infection that has claimed 77 lives in Japan this year alone.
After three days of intensive monitoring, the woman stopped urinating and one of her fingers turned black, a sign of necrosis.
The report of the case was published in the magazine Kureus.
Doctors believe that the patient with asthma is inhaling air droplets contaminated with STSS. Prior to hospitalization, several members of the patient’s family had a history of strep throat. A common illness characterized by sore throat and discomfort when swallowing is caused by bacteria group A Streptococcus (group A strep).
Most group A strep infections cause a mild illness such as sore throat. However, when that bacteria spreads to the blood and deep tissue, it can lead to the development of STSS, which kills 30% of affected patients.
STSS is usually caused by bacteria being exposed to an open wound, which allows the bacteria to enter deeper tissue. STSS begins with typical flu-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and muscle aches. As it progresses, it can cause blood pressure to drop and heart rate to accelerate, which stimulates the organs.
According to the Connecticut patient, STSS attacks healthy tissue, eroding flesh, which in some cases requires amputation.
The Connecticut patient has completed antibiotics and inpatient rehabilitation, although doctors say she may still need to have the injured toe amputated.
STSS cases have increased in Japan; This year alone, 1,000 people have been infected with the virus and 77 people have died. Experts say that the immune system has a significant effect, the lack of exposure to different groups of pathogens, the weakness of the immune system.
“If we are constantly exposed to bacteria, we can increase our immunity, but this mechanism was not present during the corona virus epidemic,” said Dr. Ken Kikuchi of Tokyo Women’s Medical University. He explained.. “So now more people are vulnerable to infection, which may be one reason for the sharp increase in cases.”
Although there are many cases in Japan, experts confirm that influenza and COVID-19 infections are very high.
as a Bloomberg reportedJapan’s Ministry of Health has confirmed that tourists planning to visit the country do not need to cancel or modify their travel plans..
As for STSS and US, experts stress that an increase or spread of the disease is unlikely. However, patients are urged to be vigilant in caring for open wounds and to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms related to STSS.