An Army veteran had her leg amputated after contracting a flesh-eating bacteria that was initially misdiagnosed as a sprained knee. Jennifer Barlow, a 33-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, noticed something was wrong after returning from a vacation in the Bahamas. Despite being physically fit and healthy, she felt weak and spent four days in bed. Her right knee became swollen, three times larger than her left knee, and was red and hot to the touch. Doctors at the local emergency room believed it was a sprained knee and sent her home with crutches and pain medication. However, her knee continued to grow abnormally. Eventually, Barlow was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, a rare bacterial infection that is often fatal.
Dr. Jonathan Pollock, Barlow’s physician at the Joseph Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center, expressed concern for her life. He described the condition as a severe and rapidly spreading infection that kills 20% of those infected. Necrotizing fasciitis usually enters the body through cuts, burns, insect bites, or surgical wounds. It is challenging to diagnose due to symptoms that can mimic other illnesses, including redness or warmth in the affected area, severe pain, and a high fever. As the infection spreads, it can cause ulcers, blisters, pus, dizziness, fatigue, diarrhea, and nausea.
Immediate treatment is crucial to prevent the infection from spreading. Antibiotics are often effective, but surgery is usually necessary to remove dead tissue. Barlow underwent multiple surgeries, totaling more than 30, including the amputation of her leg. Additionally, she developed sepsis, which is a severe reaction to infection. Sepsis occurs when chemicals released in the bloodstream to fight infection cause widespread inflammation, leading to organ failure. It is a life-threatening complication that is responsible for one in three hospital deaths.
Barlow experienced symptoms of septic shock, such as a severe drop in blood pressure. If left untreated, sepsis and septic shock can be fatal. In the US alone, sepsis affects 1.7 million people annually and claims the lives of 350,000 individuals. Barlow’s case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for both necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis.
Although the exact cause of Barlow’s infection remains unknown, it is believed to be linked to a form of bacteria called group A strep, which can cause strep throat. Barlow suspects she may have been exposed to the bacteria during her vacation in the Bahamas. After spending four months in the hospital, she returned home and is now raising funds for a prosthetic leg. Her story serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of bacterial infections and the importance of timely medical intervention.
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