-Caveat Lector- http://www.suntimes.co.za:80/1999/05/02/news/news07.htm - 02 May 1999 Children attacked by flesh-eating bacteria after taking medicine ANDRE JURGENS CHILDREN with chickenpox who are fed over-the-counter painkillers run the risk of being infected by a deadly flesh-eating bacterium. Doctors say the only way to treat the aggressive bacterium - which dissolves human flesh - is by amputating infected limbs and treating patients with antibiotics. The dangerous link between household medication, chickenpox and the bacterium was exposed in a medical alert to doctors this week. "Virtually every child in the country will be exposed to chickenpox at some or other time," said Dr Stephen Toovey of Medinfo, an organisation run by South African doctors which monitors international medical trends and research. "This flesh-eating bug causes rapid tissue destruction, and entire limbs can be lost within a matter of hours," he said. "Amputation and a high dose of antibiotics offer the only hope of survival." His warning was triggered by the results of a recent study of children who were hospitalised within three weeks of an attack of chickenpox in the US. Dr Danielle Zerr, of the Children's Hospital in Seattle, headed a team of scientists who compared 19 children stricken with the bacterium with 29 control children. Those infected were 10 times more likely to have been given ibuprofen as a painkiller. Ibuprofen is sold under a number of brand names in South Africa, including Brufen and Nurofen. However, the study found that children given paracetamol were not infected. "In the light of these findings it would be prudent to avoid Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories in children suffering from chickenpox," said Toovey. "Paracetamol is equally effective at relieving pain and fever and appears to be safer in this condition," he said. Paracetamol is available locally as Panado, Calpol and Fevambol. The bacterium - officially known as necrotising fasciitis - enters the body through tiny openings or cuts in the skin and can be lethal if not quickly diagnosed. It is an infection which comes from the same family of bacteria that causes common strep throat. Aching pain, nausea and swollen rashes usually appear within 24 hours of infection. Critical symptoms, including a severe drop in blood pressure as the body goes into shock, develop within four days. According to the Biological Committee for the Medicines Control Council, there is no chickenpox vaccine in South Africa, although one has been submitted for registration. -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
