Diabetic Drugs Can Weaken The Immune System Leading To Fournier's Gangrene

People with compromised immune systems are urged to avoid the beach and swimming in the ocean

Monday, November 11, 2019 - Warmer waters seem to be breeding the bacteria that cause necrotizing fasciitis (NF), the flesh-eating disease. Several individuals on routine trips to the beach have contracted the deadly disease and have required lengthy hospital stays. Treatment for NF usually requires the amputation of a limb. Scientists believe global warming is contributing to warmer ocean temperatures that can be a breeding ground for the flesh-eating bacteria. People with compromised immune systems and an open cut, a wound, or even a rash or skin irritation are at risk to become infected with the Streptococcus bacteria that leads to the frightening, flesh-rotting condition. News broke in the Orlando Sentinel newspaper the other day of an Orlando Florida woman who is "fighting for her life" after swimming in the nearby ocean and later developing a small red spot on the underside of her leg. Several days later the infection had spread and so much tissue had been eaten away that doctors diagnosed her with rapidly spreading necrotizing fasciitis and were forced to amputate her leg. The operation was successful, however, and the infection has now spread to her abdomen and is threatening her very life. Doctors encourage most people to not be afraid of going to the beach or swimming in the ocean but caution those with compromised immune systems to avoid going into the water. Diabetes drug infection lawsuit lawyers offer a no obligation free consultation and will work on a contingency basis.

The US Food and Drug Administration has identified anti-diabetes drugs such as SGLT-2 sodium-glucose blockers, namely Invokana, as being linked to a specific type of necrotizing fasciitis called Fournier's Gangrene. Anti-diabetic drugs have a known side-effect of weakening one's immune system allowing the Streptococcus bacteria to enter the body and cannibalize human tissue. Fournier's Gangrene occurs mostly in the male genitalia where bacteria can breed in the cracks and crevices of the scrotum if not cleaned daily. Any slight abrasion, chafing or irritation from walking or failing to dry one's genitals properly can cause the flesh-eating disease to enter the fascia, or the layer of tissue immediately underneath the skin. Senior citizens with SGLT-2 or chemotherapy-weakened immune systems may be at heightened risk for Fournier's Gangrene. Caregivers to the elderly in Florida nursing homes are urged to use extra care in seeing that their elderly diabetic patient's genital area is properly washed and dried daily. Caregivers are urged to check patients that are unable to care for themselves daily and call a doctor if the patient shows the early warning signs of Fournier's Gangrene such as reddening or swelling of the perineum region or if the patient complains of pain in that area.

The Florida woman who developed necrotizing Fasciitis was also a diabetic presumably with a compromised immune system. The Sentinal wrote: (The woman), a diabetic, apparently is more susceptible to contracting necrotizing fasciitis because of her diabetic condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The same is true for those who have other immune system compromising conditions such as cirrhosis or cancer. People undergoing chemotherapy or radiation are also urged to stay out of the ocean or other warm bodies of water.

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Lawyers for Fournier's Gangrene

OnderLaw, LLC is a St. Louis personal injury law firm handling serious injury and death claims across the country. Its mission is the pursuit of justice, no matter how complex the case or strenuous the effort. The Onder Law Firm has represented clients throughout the United States in pharmaceutical and medical device litigation such as Pradaxa, Lexapro and Yasmin/Yaz, where the firm's attorneys held significant leadership roles in the litigation, as well as Actos, DePuy, Risperdal and others. The Onder Law Firm has won more than $300 million in four talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits in St. Louis. Law firms throughout the nation often seek its experience and expertise on complex litigation.