FULMINANT SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS CAUSED BY AEROBIC BACTERIA – A PARAMEDIC’S PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Infections of the skin and soft tissue are among the most common infections. They are diverse in terms of the extent of the changes, the severity of development and disease group etiological factors. There are a broad range of such infections, from superficial skin infections to deep necrotizing soft tissue infections which are so serious that they can lead to permanent disability or even death. Paramedics are often the first link in the chain of medical treatment for a patient with necrotizing soft tissue infection, which is why it is vital for them to be familiar with the alarm symptoms which indicate that urgent hospitalization is necessary. A key issue for Medical Response Teams when treating patients with skin and soft tissue infections is distinguishing infections that require surgical intervention – a priority for paramedics, from those that require only preventative treatment. It must be remembered that failure to take the correct decisions regarding treatment and logistics can significantly reduce a patient’s chances of survival.