Sometimes a simple infection can lead to life-threatening conditions. A 16-year-old boy from Virginia suffered a rare severe bacterial infection which led to amputation of both his hands and legs.
Mason Jones, a 16-year-old boy diagnosed with strep throat in April last year. He was treated with antibiotics. But, within 24 hours of leaving the doctor the condition of Mason worsened. His mom Charde McMillan comprehended that something was amiss. His symptoms like sore throat, fever, and fatigue increased. His lips turned purple and he had purple blotches all over his skin, Charde told DailyMail.com.
Mason from West Virginia was airlifted to the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, where he was diagnosed with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is a rare but serious infection which is caused by streptococcus, a bacteria group A, that causes strep throat.
Strep throat is a typical infection in the throat and tonsils, which is caused by bacteria group A streptococcus. Healthcare providers usually diagnose the infection with a quick test and the condition is treated with antibiotics.
According to the CDC, the streptococcus group A bacteria can cause STSS when they spread into deep tissues and the bloodstream. This was observed in Mason’s case. The STSS had spread into his deep tissues and bloodstream which caused severe sepsis. Mason suffered from a high fever and chills, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting in addition to a dangerous drop in blood pressure, fast heart rate, and organ failure.
As per the doctors, in Mason’s case, there was no blood supply in his hands and feet, causing them to become black and mummified.
Mason’s mother told WVVA that Mason developed a condition called Necrotizing fasciitis. It is a complication of the invasive infection. The doctors amputated Mason’s hands on June 6, 2023, roughly four inches up his arm.
Mason’s mother Charde reminisced that she felt like she was losing her mind and felt like she was living in a nightmare like it wasn't real. Hardly a month later, on 15 July, doctors also removed Mason’s legs just below the knee. Mason was struggling for his life, he was just three days shy of his birthday. Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare and life-threatening flesh-eating disease. It happens if the wound gets infected. It chewed about 60 percent of Mason’s skin.
Mason underwent three skin grafting surgeries and a few surgeries including the removal of his tailbone as the disease ate all the way from the skin down to the bone Mason's mother told DailyMail.com. Mason underwent physical therapy for six months and he was finally discharged from the hospital on October 11, 2023. But, thereafter Mason has fought with osteomyelitis, inflammation of bone as a consequence of frequent infections.
Mason is currently deferring to be equipped with leg prosthetics and to initiate intensive physical therapy to comprehend how to stroll again.
References:
2. https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/necrotizing-fasciitis.html
4. https://www.wvva.com/2023/12/08/family-shares-story-teen-overcoming-rare-infection/
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Lavanya Beeraboina/MSM)
