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Gas gangrene is a severe wound infection with toxin poisoning, extensive swelling, tissue necrosis and gas production.
Gas gangrene is caused by anaerobic gas gangrene rods which are pathogenic through many toxins. These bacilli are widely distributed in the natural environment (soil, water, most animals’ digestive tract).
Gas gangrene most often develops in the case of extensive wounds, where there is significant damage and tissue ischemia. The toxins destroy tissues and cause fermentation, which produces putrefying gas under the skin.
Symptoms of gas gangrene
The first symptom of gas gangrene is severe pain around the wound, then there is swelling, blood-brown discharge oozes from the wound, and gas bubbles are felt in the surrounding tissues. The circumferential part of the limb is cool, with no perceptible pulse. With local symptoms, general toxic symptoms such as fever, general weakness, yellowing of the skin layers, sometimes symptoms of gastroenteritis also appear.
Treatment of gas gangrene
In the case of gas gangrene, therapy is always intensive and is carried out exclusively in a hospital.
Contamination of food products with gas gangrene can cause acute food poisoning with vomiting and diarrhea. The poisoning is mild.
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