SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah family is dealing with a condition they never imagined: flesh-eating bacteria in their son’s arm.
“Something that we never dreamed of, and something that we had never even heard of,” said Barbara Horton.
It all started when her 47-year-old son Isaac cut himself on a piece of cardboard. He had a little swelling on his arm but did not think anything of it.
“By the next day, his whole hand had swelled up — looked like his hand was going to break open, it was so swollen and it had these white blisters,” explained Barbara.
Now, Isaac’s hand and arm don’t have skin, and you can see right down to muscles and bones because of flesh-eating bacteria, doctors told them. He is now being treated at the University of Utah Hospital while doctors determine the next steps.
Dr. Marc Robins, the senior medical director for wound and hyperbaric services at Intermountain Health, is not treating Isaac but spoke with FOX 13 News about flesh-eating bacteria.
“It’s caused typically by a streptococcal species, or strep, which one in a thousand times it will produce a certain type of toxin that breaks down cell wall and allows other organisms to take hold," he explained.
Robins wants people to not be alarmed by this but to be prepared, and if they see signs of an infection to get it checked.
“If you’re immune-compromised and you have an infection, get it checked. These are typically organisms that are easily treatable with most common antibiotics if treated early," he said.
Robins added that it is not contagious and can’t spread easily.
“He’s kind of up and down, but he’s very brave,” Barbara said of Isaac's recovery. “He has been amazing. He’s tried to keep a smile — not too many smiles, but a good attitude.”
She said she will do everything she can to help get her son back on his feet.
“We have seven in our home, and so the thought of bringing him in with all his special needs is a little overwhelming, but we will do what we have to do," she said.
She wants people to know that they should not wait to get medical attention.
“If they get something strange that causes a swelling or causes some blistering, something strange looking like that, to get it looked at right away — don’t wait," she said.
Horton said she doesn’t know how long it will take Isaac to recover and when he will be able to work again. Donations can be made to the family via a GoFundMe page HERE.
