Flesh-eating bug warning to new mothers as woman, 27, is rushed to hospital a week after giving birth and told she might not survive
- WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT
- New mother Charleigh Chatterton almost died from the flesh eating bug
New mothers have been warned of the dangers of an aggressive flesh-eating bug that almost claimed the life of a woman six days after the birth of her daughter.
When Charleigh Chatterton, 27, gave birth to her daughter Alessia in Colchester hospital last month she had no idea that a mere six days later she’d be back in hospital fighting necrotising fasciitis or that her family would be told she may not survive.
According to the NHS, Necrotising fasciitis, also known as the ‘flesh-eating disease’, is a rare and life-threatening infection that can happen if a wound gets infected.
Symptoms include intense pain or loss of feeling near to a cut or wound, swelling of the skin around the affected area and flu-like symptoms.
The BBC reports that although Miss Chatterton had no complications from her delivery she soon developed flu symptoms and a rash after leaving the hospital which was as ‘as hot to touch as a boiled kettle.’
Charleigh Chatterton fell ill just six days after she gave birth to her new daughter and almost lost her life
After she returned to hospital she was tested multiple times but came back clear – despite being incredibly unwell.
Scans then revealed that Miss Chatterton had developed pockets of gas under her tissue that were diagnosed as the flesh-eating bug.
Medics determined that she needed immediate surgery to remove the dead tissue to stop the bacteria from spreading.
READ MORE: Fit cross country runner, 37, loses a leg to rare flesh-eating bug
The new mother said: ‘The doctors said my chances of survival were slim. I think I got diagnosed just in time.’
After being kept sedated for three days, Miss Chatterton woke up to find she had two enormous wounds on her stomach which had to be left open for six days while her body recovered enough for them to be fitted with a vacuum pump.
After two weeks, she was finally well enough to leave the hospital and reunite with her baby daughter.
Now, she says, she is determined to raise awareness of the scary condition.
She said: ‘I’m still finding it quite difficult psychologically, but physically I’m doing really well. I’ve got some big scars and some nerve damage but I feel so lucky. I’m here and that’s all that matters.
‘I just want to get the message out because most people have never heard of it and early diagnosis can be the difference between life and death.’
Martin Mansfield, deputy chief medical officer at East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust said: ‘We’re so glad to have been able to help Charleigh and very pleased to know that she is doing so well.
‘Necrotising fasciitis is a bacterial infection that can be very serious and life-threatening if not caught early and it’s testament to the knowledge and expertise of our staff that they spotted what was happening and were able to take action very quickly.’
NECROTISING FASCIITIS: THE VICIOUS FLESH-EATING BACTERIA
Necrotising fasciitis, more commonly known as ‘flesh-eating disease’, is a rare but extremely vicious bacterial infection. ‘Necrotising’ refers to something that causes body tissue to die, and the infection can destroy skin, muscles and fat.
The disease develops when the bacteria enters the body, often through a minor cut or scrape. As the bacteria multiply, they release toxins that kill tissue and cut off blood flow to the area.
Because it is so virulent, the bacteria spreads rapidly throughout the body.
Symptoms include small, red lumps or bumps on the skin, rapidly-spreading bruising, sweating, chills, fever and nausea. Organ failure and shock are also common complications.
Sufferers must be treated immediately to prevent death, and are usually given powerful antibiotics and surgery to remove dead tissue. Amputation can become necessary if the disease spreads through an arm or leg.
Patients may undergo skin grafts after the infection has cleared up, to help the healing process or for aesthetic reasons.
There are 500 to 1,500 cases reported a year, but 20 to 25 percent of victims die.
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