Flesh Eating Bacteria or STSS
Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome also known as STSS is a rare and serious complication of Streptococcus infection. It is usually made by Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria. It also can be spread by group A streptococcus (strep) bacteria. The infection spreads in the body when the bacteria reaches the bloodstream and infects deep tissue, which can affect adults and children both. It can produce toxins that can set off a ‘hyper-inflammatory response’ in the body that in turn can lead to shock, rapid tissue necrosis (RTN) and extreme pain.
Symptoms of STSS
The initial symptoms of this disease include muscle pain, nausea or vomiting and fever or chills. These symptoms are seen to worsen in the patients after 24-48 hours of the initial symptoms to show up. The symptoms can get more serious if a patient get rapid breathing issues, low blood pressure, fast heart rate or organ failure.
Fatal Complications of STSS
This flesh eating bacteria is considered fatal because STSS can shut down and send the body in shock, leading to a surgery. The limb or organ may need removal if it gets infected. Even if the treatment is done, the condition has proven to be deadly. Data by CDC shows that out of 10 people with STSS, 3 are believed to be infected with the condition.
People at Risk
With STSS People who are 65 or older, people with surgery or viral infection, alcoholics and diabetic patients are at higher risk of developing STSS.
Outbreak Data
The Japan Health Ministry had recorded 977 cases of STSS as of June 2. This disease has a
mortality rate of 30%. Around 77 people have died from the infection between the months of
January 2024 and March 2024.