RELATED: If You Notice This While Drinking Wine, Stop Immediately, Experts Warn. Recently, 50-year-old Patrick Baker in Indiana ate a batch of oysters from the store, and three days later was rushed to the emergency room. He has now been hospitalized for nearly a month. According to The Herald Bulletin, Baker experienced flu-like symptoms a couple of days after eating the oysters. Baker’s wife implored him to seek medical care as “his infection became more noticeable in his legs, where he developed purple blisters and experienced a growing pain,” The Herald Bulletin reported. As it turns out, Baker contracted a flesh-eating disease from the oysters. Per the newspaper, he was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis caused by a bacteria that lives in the water known as Vibrio vulnificus. RELATED: The CDC Just Released a Warning That You Shouldn’t Eat This Right Now. According to the CDC, there are other signs of necrotizing fasciitis that you should know, because symptoms of the disease often spread quickly and can be confusing. Common signs of necrotizing fasciitis include a red, warm, or swollen area of skin that spreads quickly; severe pain; and fever. The agency urges you to seek medical attention immediately if you notice these symptoms, especially if you’ve recently had surgery or an injury. The later symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis are a bit more gruesome, and can include “ulcers, blisters, or black spots on the skin, changes in the color of the skin, pus or oozing from the infected area, dizziness, fatigue, and diarrhea or nausea.” There are multiple bacteria that can cause necrotizing fasciitis, but the CDC says most people get infected with Vibrio bacteria specifically after eating raw or undercooked shellfish, most commonly oysters. However, certain Vibrio species can also cause a skin infection if an open wound is exposed to salt or brackish water. It’s also possible for the bacteria to lead to an infection if raw seafood or raw seafood juices come in contact with an open cut.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb To reduce the chances of getting infected with Vibrio bacteria, the CDC suggests avoiding raw or undercooked shellfish. Additionally, “if you have a wound (including from a recent surgery, piercing, or tattoo), avoid contact with saltwater or brackish water or cover the wound with a waterproof bandage.” RELATED: For more health advice delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. The Vibrio bacteria results in about 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths each year in the U.S., according to the CDC. While some people only experience diarrhea and vomiting, others experience more severe illness, like Baker, and a handful require intensive care or limb amputation. The risk of contracting this illness may be higher during the warmer months. Per the CDC, the bacteria is “present in higher concentrations between May and October when water temperatures are warmer.” RELATED: Never Grill Your Meat or Chicken Like This, USDA Warns.
