Which infection is known as "flesh-eating disease"?

Necrotizing fasciitis is referred to as "flesh-eating disease" due to the rapid and aggressive nature of the infection it causes. This condition involves the severe destruction of soft tissues, including the subcutaneous tissue and fascia, which can result in significant tissue loss. The disease is typically caused by polymicrobial infections, often involving bacteria such as Group A Streptococcus and other pathogens.

The name "flesh-eating" highlights the destructive capability of the infection, as it can lead to necrosis of the tissue, which requires urgent medical intervention. Understanding this term is crucial because it emphasizes the seriousness and urgency surrounding the treatment of the condition to prevent further tissue damage and systemic complications.

In contrast, cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that causes red, swollen, and painful areas on the skin but does not possess the same rapid and destructive characteristics as necrotizing fasciitis. Gangrene refers to tissue death due to a lack of blood supply or infection but is a broader term and does not specifically indicate the fast-progressing infection seen in necrotizing fasciitis. Shingles is a viral infection that presents with a rash and pain due to the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus but does not