How to avoid the flesh eating bacteria

Published 5:00 pm Thursday, August 9, 2012

Q; I recently read about the flesh eating bacteria. How can I avoid getting that disease?

Jill

Camas

A: Flesh eating bacteria or necrotizing fasciitis can be caued by several different types of bacteria. The toxin from the bacteria is the problem, and it destroys the bodys tissues rapidly. This infection is rare, but aggressive. There are only 500-1000 cases per year in the United States, but 25% of the people that contract the infection will die.

If you get a cut or wound and the wound becomes painful, red, swollen it may be a symptom of this infection. The key symptom, however, is severe and growing pain with a pretty benign looking wound. You must go to the Emergency Room immediately if this happens.

To minimize your risk when you get a cut you should:

1. Wash your wound thoroughly with soap and water.

2. Apply antibiotic ointment to the wound.

The treatment for necrotizing fasciitis is intravenous antibiotics and aggressive surgical intervention.

Q: I read your column regarding the advantages of taking probiotics. Are there food sources that contain probiotics instead of taking pills?

Steve

Portland

A: There are quite a few food sources that contain probiotics. First on my list is red wine. Red wine does not contain probiotics, but contains polyphenol compounds. A recent Spanish study suggests sipping about 9 ounces of Merlot or a low alcohol red wine daily increases the good bacteria in the gut just like probiotics do.

The red wine (or polyphenols) also decreases the triglycerides, and lowers the blood pressure.

Other foods that contain beneficial probiotics include: kimchi, miso, tempeh, sauerkraut, kefir, and some yogurts.

Dr. Phyllis Ritchie is an infectious disease specialist. She lives in Gearhart and Portland. She can be reached at: drphyllisritchie@gmail.com.