GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A Wisconsin man woke with the symptoms of a fever last week, but it quickly morphed into a situation that forced him to have his hands and legs amputated.
The culprit? Saliva from his own dog.
Medical experts, such as Infection Prevention Team Leader Carol Bess from Bellin Health, are still trying to process this “crazy fluke.”
“I’ve never seen this,” says Bess. “I’ve seen this type of reaction to other types of infections, but from this organism and from being licked from a dog, I’ve never seen that.”
The Wisconsin man had harmful bacteria from his dog’s saliva get into his bloodstream, which then caused sepsis. “Sepsis” is any sort of blood poisoning that occurs from bacteria.
Bess says this occurrence isn’t a reason for panic, but rather for an increase in caution and recognition is necessary.
“It’s just being aware of it,” says Bess. “When you have signs that you are extremely ill, don’t wait to have it treated.”
Bacterial infections of any kind can be fatal and it’s strongly advised to seek treatment if there are any concerns about a possible infection.
