necrotizing fasciitis

noun

: a severe soft tissue infection that is caused by bacteria (such as Group A streptococci or MRSA) and is marked by edema and necrosis of subcutaneous tissues with involvement of adjacent fascia and by painful red swollen skin over affected areas

If the infection occurred on the skin or underlying tissue as through a cut, necrotizing fasciitis could develop, literally eating away deep muscle and other soft tissue, eventually causing organ failure and death.

—Shannon Thompkins

called also flesh-eating disease

Examples of necrotizing fasciitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the agency, up to 1 in 5 people with necrotizing fasciitis die from the infection. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024

O'Hara recovered after spending several weeks in intensive care and undergoing surgery to remove part of his arm in a bid to stop the spread of necrotizing fasciitis. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024

The skin condition is a fatal flesh-eating bacterial infection called necrotizing fasciitis. —Scott McDonald, Fox News, 9 Oct. 2024

However, everything changed for the 10-year-old in March when she was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis in her face, a flesh-eating bacterial infection that affects the tissue under the skin. —Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 12 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

necrotizing fasciitis

noun

: a severe infection of soft tissue that is caused by bacteria (such as Group A streptococci or MRSA) and is marked by edema and necrosis of subcutaneous tissue with involvement of adjacent fascia and by painful red swollen skin over affected areas

On incision, clues such as fat necrosis … and thrombosis of subcutaneous veins … would suggest necrotizing fasciitis.

—Michael R. Filbin et al., The New England Journal of Medicine

If the infection occurred on the skin or underlying tissue as through a cut, necrotizing fasciitis could develop, literally eating away deep muscle and other soft tissue, eventually causing organ failure and death.

—Shannon Tompkins, The Houston Chronicle

called also flesh-eating disease

Note: Necrotizing fasciitis usually occurs as a complication of surgery, injury, or infection by extension from the initially affected site.