Flesh Eating Bacteria Attacks Aimee Copeland

Aimee Copeland, a 24 year old University of West Georgia graduate student is battling a deadly flesh-eating bacteria known as necrotizing fasciitis. Today on Fox News with Megyn Kelly, Dr. Richard Firshein from the Firshein Center for Comprehensive Medicine, explains about the dangers of this bacteria and an update on Aimee. According to Dr. Firshein 10-15,000 people per year are diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis claiming approximately 2-3,000.

Just one week ago, Aimee was enjoying a trip kayaking down a creek with some friends in Carrollton, Georgia when she stopped to ride on a homemade zip line, the line snapped and cut a large gash in her left calf, requiring 22 staples.

On Friday, Aimee was airlifted to JMS Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, where doctors rushed her into surgery and performed a high-hip amputation of her left leg.

As of today, according to Ken Lewis, one of Aimee's classmates, Aimee will unfortunately need her hands and her remaining foot amputated because the blood vessels have died.

According to the Atlanta Jornal-Constitution, a "Love Aimee" vigil is being held tonight at the University of West Georgia Campus.  Blood donations are also being accepted at the JMS Burn Center.

To keep people updated on Aimee's status, her father has set up a Facebook page, "Aimee We Pray That We Get To See That Smile Again".  Because of this page, many have come forward to donate their blood in hopes of saving Aimee's life.

"I will never quit on my daughter," Copeland said, "And my daughter will be a remarkable miracle the world's going to enjoy.  The more I put that out there, the more people will rally.  That's what's keeping her going."

For more information about Necrotizing Fasciitis, visit:
Everyday Health
WebMD

Shared with: the healthy home economist