What seemed like the flu turned out to be a deadly bacterial infection! "More painful than it looks" is a danger signal: Moments when you should suspect flesh-eating bacteria.

"I Thought It Was Just a Cold (Flu)"—Until the "Flesh-Eating Bacteria" Disrupted Daily Life

Sore throat. Fever. Fatigue. Common winter ailments. Many people think, "I'll sleep it off" or "I'll wait a few days." However, Mark Brooks, a 54-year-old fitness enthusiast from Grimsby, UK, found himself on the brink of death from an infection that started as one of those "common ailments." The diagnosis was necrotising fasciitis. Known overseas as the sensational "flesh-eating disease," it is a rapidly progressing severe infection. The Sun

The Trigger: "Excruciating Throat Pain" and "Usual Gym Routine"

According to reports, in December 2023, Brooks experienced one of the worst throat pains of his life. Just as he was recovering, he went to the gym for an intense workout. At the time, he was also fasting. He slightly injured his elbow during exercise but thought it was "nothing serious." The Sun

However, after returning home, he developed a fever. By the next morning, he experienced excruciating pain in his elbow, as if he had "slammed it against the bed," rendering his arm unusable. Vomiting also began. He assumed it was just a combination of throat pain, elbow pain, and food poisoning, but something else was happening inside his body. The Sun

Diagnosis Changed Repeatedly, and the "Real Enemy" Was Revealed Through Emergency Surgery

Initially, at the hospital, compartment syndrome, a condition where increased pressure within the muscles reduces blood flow, was suspected. However, a large bruise-like discoloration appeared on his arm, leading to emergency surgery. It was then that necrotising fasciitis was discovered. The Sun

The terrifying aspect of this infection is that even when the skin appears relatively mild, destruction may be progressing deep inside. The CDC's clinical guidance notes that **"pain disproportionate to the visible skin findings"** can be a characteristic. CDC

Bone Exposure, Kidney Failure, ICU... "25 Surgeries in 9 Weeks"

The infection progressed rapidly, destroying the skin and muscles of his arm, reportedly to the point where the bone was exposed. The bacteria entered his bloodstream, causing kidney failure. He fought multiple organ failure in the ICU for about a week. The Sun

The hospital stay lasted about 9 weeks. 25 surgeries were performed to remove dead tissue and reconstruct the arm. Skin grafts, transferring muscles from the back (latissimus dorsi), and fat harvesting were necessary, using other parts of the body as "materials" for reconstruction. The treatment cost reportedly reached approximately £450,000. The Sun

While he survived, it is reported that he also suffers from PTSD. Nonetheless, he shares his experience with words to the effect of "gratitude was the antidote (focusing on what remains rather than what was lost)." The Sun

Reactions on Social Media (Centered on LinkedIn): Encouragement, Shared Experiences, and "Precarious Advice"

Brooks has also posted updates on social media, where typical reactions in the comments include:

1) Overwhelming "Glad You're Alive" and "Praying for Recovery"

Comments such as "Stay strong," "Wishing you recovery," and "Your attitude is inspiring" are common. His calm reporting of the situation even amidst adversity is praised as a "model of resilience." LinkedIn

2) Shared Experiences: "I've Had Similar Experiences"

Posts include stories like "My daughter nearly lost her eyesight to this disease," illustrating that even rare diseases are "not zero" in reality, creating a multi-dimensional view through a chain of comments. LinkedIn

3) Discussion on Treatment: References to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Comments mention "being saved by hyperbaric oxygen therapy." While Brooks himself mentions undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy, it remains within the medical team's decision-making realm, with the primary treatments being antibiotics and surgical debridement (removal of necrotic tissue), as public health agencies explain. LinkedIn

4) Caution Needed for "Pushing Alternative Remedies"

Comments recommending drinking large amounts of specific teas (herbal teas) and even listing phone numbers can be found. Even with good intentions, delaying the response to severe infections can be dangerous. The CDC states that necrotising fasciitis "can rapidly become a life-threatening emergency," emphasizing that **"immediate hospital care with antibiotics and surgery is necessary."** While social media can provide emotional support, it is not a substitute for treatment. LinkedIn

More Important Than "How to Identify": Knowing the Danger Signs and Acting Quickly

Necrotising fasciitis is rare. This makes it easy to think "it doesn't concern me." However, the important thing is not "diagnosing the disease," but not delaying a visit to the doctor when dangerous signs appear.

The NHS and GOV.UK list initial features that may appear as

• pain that is too severe for the appearance

• expanding swelling or redness

• flu-like symptoms such as high fever
  . As it progresses, vomiting, diarrhea, dark discoloration of the skin, or blisters may occur. nhs.uk

The CDC emphasizes that even healthcare providers can underestimate the extent of the infection, describing it as an "infection that visually deceives." In other words, "just because it looks mild doesn't mean it's okay." CDC

Summary: "Knowing and Acting Quickly" Is Better Than Fear

Brooks' story resonates because it starts not as the tale of a special person, but from "an oversight that could happen to anyone."
Cold-like symptoms combined with localized abnormal pain, worsening rapidly. In such cases, it's safer to consult a medical institution before wondering, "Am I overreacting?"

(Note: This article is for general information and not for diagnosis or treatment instructions. If an emergency is suspected, do not hesitate to seek emergency care.)