A potentially deadly condition called necrotizing fasciitis may have symptoms that are similar to the flu. New Jersey residents with the condition may notice that they are fatigued, have the chills or are nauseous. They may also notice that they have pain in certain parts of their body where there is only a minor wound, and the skin may turn red or purple at the infection site.
In many cases, bacteria such as group A strep or Clostridium can spread through the body at a quick pace. It may only be hours between the time an infection occurs and a person starts to notice symptoms. The CDC says that the condition may be treated either with antibiotics or with surgery. There is a 27 percent mortality rate for those who contract necrotizing fasciitis, according to the CDC.
If an individual experiences an infection, it could have a significant impact on his or her quality of life. In some cases, a large percentage of a person’s skin may need to be removed to fully correct the problem. If a doctor error or any other type of medical negligence played a role in causing the infection, it may be possible for a victim to take legal action against the party or parties responsible.
Depending on the facts of a case, a hospital where a person was infected may also be liable for damages. This may be true if staff failed to supervise a doctor’s activities or had policies that failed to keep patients safe. An attorney might point to a lack of patient safety protocols when asserting that a person was hurt because of medical negligence. Other signs of negligence may include a failure to properly diagnose an individual based on symptoms described by a patient.
