Man Survives Flesh-Eating Bacteria, Prays for Aimee Copeland
A man in South Carolina has first-hand knowledge as to the danger that contracting flesh-eating bacteria can pose and is trying to raise awareness so more people can be informed.
In February, Barry Ginn went to the hospital to see a doctor after sever pain in his shoulder had been plaguing him for several days. His doctors thought he had torn his rotator cuff and scheduled a follow-up, as reported by TheSlate.com.
After several days, Ginn's condition worsened, and he was taken to the emergency room where doctors realized that he had contracted the flesh-eating bacteria, necrotizing fasciitis.
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Part of his shoulder and upper arm were removed and he spent several days in the hospital recovering.
Ginn is now trying to raise awareness about necrotizing fasciitis and has offered his sympathy to Aimee Copeland, the young Georgia woman who contracted the bacteria. She had her left leg amputated and is currently in serious condition in a Georgia hospital.
"It kills you, and it kills you fast if you don't catch it," Ginn said.
After researching the infection he is starting to gain a better understanding of how to prevent it.
"It's about awareness," Ginn said. "The odds are better of you winning the (lottery) than catching this flesh-eating bacteria. But guess what? I bought Powerball tickets and lost. But I did, however, get the flesh-eating infection. The biggest mistake I made was I wasn't honest with myself or my doctors."
Ginn continued: "If you suspect there's something amiss, get to a doctor … And if the skin is hot to the touch, something is going on and get to a good hospital ASAP. Don't screw around."
Cases of necrotizing fasciitis are considered extremely rare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not keep statistics on specific cases and there have only been a few cases published in medical journals.
