Life-saving emergency amputations Patient lost two legs and one arm after an insect bite

After insect bite, both legs and one arm had to be amputated
Mosquito bites are annoying, but usually no special health risk. In exceptional cases, they can very well be extremely dangerous. A woman from Cologne had to be amputated after a mosquito bite both legs and an arm. By the bite of the insect bacteria were apparently in the bloodstream of the 43-year-olds arrived.

Mosquito bites led to blood poisoning
When reports of mosquito bites with consequences, one usually thinks quickly of distant countries and diseases such as malaria or dengue fever. But even in this country, such stitches can have life-threatening consequences. According to a media report, a woman in Cologne had both legs and an arm amputated. Apparently an insect had bite bacteria into the bloodstream of the 43-year-olds promoted, which led to sepsis.

A Cologne woman had to be amputated after a mosquito bite both legs and a forearm. Apparently bacteria had entered the bloodstream through the sting, which led to blood poisoning. (Image: corlaffra / fotolia.com)

Insect bite with dramatic consequences
It was just an insect sting. But that had dramatic consequences for a 43-year-old cleaners from Cologne.

According to a report from the Express, in mid-March the woman had taken the garbage out of a house during work when she was stabbed in the arm by an insect.

"I immediately noticed a bump. Then I felt dizzy and cold, I had body aches. My colleague called an ambulance, "she told the newspaper.

Extremities died
Although the 43-year-old had vomited and her husband did not look well, the treating doctor sent the patient back home.

Her condition deteriorated rapidly, so her husband took her back to the hospital, where she ended up in intensive care. From there, she was taken to Cologne University Hospital for further treatment, where she spent a week in a coma.

According to her husband, one could "watch her extremities die off. Arms and legs turned black, "said the 42-year-old loudly" Express ".

Both legs and one forearm amputated
According to the report, the woman apparently suffered streptococcal infection as a result of the bite, leading to sepsis (blood poisoning).

"The doctor told me that it could have been a simple mosquito carrying the bacteria," said the patient to the "Express".

The doctors were only able to save the woman's life by amputating both legs and the left forearm.

Streptococci can cause many diseases
"Streptococci are typical mucosal parasites," explains the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on its website. "Certain types are associated with diseases of the pharynx, others more with skin or wound or septic infections," it continues.

According to the experts, the bacteria are transmitted "mainly by droplet infection or direct human-to-human contact, rarely by contaminated food and water".

If the body's immune system is unable to fight the pathogens during an infection, numerous diseases can occur.

These include scarlet fever, middle ear, sinusitis and tonsillitis or lung and meningitis.

An unrecognized or too late detected and treated streptococcal infection can lead to sepsis.

Cologne woman accepted her fate quickly
Just like the Cologne woman. Of course, when she recovered from the operation and was told that the legs and forearm were amputated, it was a shock to her.

But she quickly arranged her fate. "I accepted that quickly and thought: Hey, I survived. I am still here! That's what set me up, "the 43-year-old told the" Express ".

Therefore, she went public with her story to sensitize other people in similar situations. "Anyone who has strange symptoms should consult a doctor immediately," warned the woman from Cologne.

Protect against mosquito bites
It is therefore certainly also helpful to be able to better allocate insect bites and bites. Especially for people who suffer from an allergy.

In addition, you should always protect yourself as possible from stings, including home remedies for mosquitoes, such as essential oils. Or with insect sprays.

At home or in the tent, insects can be kept away by mosquito nets and protected from stings in the open air by light, skin-covering clothing. (Ad)