Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Necrotising Fasciitis: 'Flesh-Eating' Disease Puts Man in 4-Day Coma
A man named Peter, who is 61 years old, got very sick after he saw a spider on his bed.
The next day, his wrist was swollen, red, and painful.
His condition got so bad that he had trouble speaking and was rushed to the hospital.
Doctors found that he had a very rare infection called necrotising fasciitis.
Some people call it the 'flesh-eating disease,' but the bacteria do not really eat flesh.
Instead, the germs release toxins that damage the body's tissues and blood vessels.
Peter had four operations and was kept asleep with medicine for four days.
Doctors said his arm might have to be removed, but they were able to control the infection.
Afterwards, he needed skin grafts and physiotherapy to use his hand again.
The article says people should clean and cover wounds and see a doctor if redness, swelling, or pain gets worse quickly.
Peter Murphy, 61, developed necrotising fasciitis after an infection started in his right wrist and was placed in a medically induced coma for four days.
He also developed severe cellulitis and sepsis, and doctors warned his arm might need to be amputated if the infection continued to spread.
Peter underwent four operations, followed by skin grafts and physiotherapy to regain movement in his hand and fingers.
Necrotising fasciitis is a rare, potentially life-threatening bacterial infection of tissue beneath the skin, sometimes called a 'flesh-eating disease'.
Treatment is a medical emergency involving urgent surgery to remove infected tissue, intravenous antibiotics, and supportive care; Group A Streptococcus is a commonly associated cause.
- Who
- Peter Murphy, a 61-year-old man who developed necrotising fasciitis, treated by doctors in hospital.
- What
- Peter contracted necrotising fasciitis, a rare bacterial 'flesh-eating' infection, along with severe cellulitis and sepsis, requiring four operations and a four-day medically induced coma.
- When
- The article does not specify exact dates; his symptoms began the day after he spotted a spider crawling across his bed.
- Where
- Not specified in the article; the infection initially developed in his right wrist.
- Why
- The infection is believed to have entered through a spider bite, though the article notes the exact cause of such infections can be difficult to identify.
- Patient
- Peter Murphy, 61
- Condition
- Necrotising fasciitis ('flesh-eating disease')
- Complications
- Severe cellulitis and sepsis
- Coma
- Medically induced coma for 4 days
- Operations
- 4 operations; amputation was warned as a possibility
- Likely cause
- Spider bite to the right wrist
- Rehabilitation
- Skin grafts and physiotherapy
- Common cause of condition
- Group A Streptococcus