Sharon Alexander, a mother and grandmother, died from necrotising fasciitis, a rare and life-threatening infection, on February 19 after being hospitalised with back pain. Her family is now raising awareness about the disease.
What Happened?
On Saturday, February 16, Sharon Alexander was taken to hospital with back pain, which she initially attributed to a hard day's work. The pain worsened, and her husband called for an ambulance three days later. Doctors performed emergency surgery after discovering she had necrotising fasciitis, but the infection spread and she died on Monday, February 19.
What Is Necrotising Fasciitis?
According to the NHS, necrotising fasciitis, also known as the "flesh-eating disease," is a rare infection of the deeper layers of the skin. It affects fewer than one in every 100,000 people.
Symptoms
Symptoms include intense pain or loss of feeling, redness and swelling of the skin, and flu-like symptoms such as high temperature, headache, and tiredness. The condition can develop rapidly within hours or over a few days, often near a cut or wound. In Sharon's case, she experienced back pain and tiredness before bruising appeared.
Causes
Necrotising fasciitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection entering the skin through cuts, scratches, sores, burns, insect bites, surgery, injecting drugs, or urinary tract infections. Doctors suggested to Sharon's family that an ingrown hair might have caused the infection, as she had no visible wounds.
Treatment
Immediate treatment is crucial. The NHS states that treatment includes antibiotics and surgery to remove damaged tissue. Early intervention can be successful, but long-term changes in appearance or amputation of affected limbs may be necessary.
Awareness Efforts
Sharon's daughter, Scarlett Simpson, started a GoFundMe page to support the Lee Spark NF Foundation, which helps those affected by the disease and educates medical professionals and the public.
