A woman from near Haverhill, Suffolk, has shared her harrowing experience with a rare 'flesh-eating bug', necrotising fasciitis, revealing how her skin resembled 'roadkill' during the infection. Caroline Fonjock, a 45-year-old social worker, credits swift action by NHS medics at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge for saving her life after the condition rapidly escalated in April 2021.
Ms Fonjock initially believed she had a routine urinary infection or a boil in her upper groin. However, within 36 hours, her condition deteriorated dramatically, leading to unconsciousness and vomiting. Doctors later identified the 'boil' as necrotising fasciitis, a severe infection that destroys tissue beneath the skin and necessitates immediate surgical intervention to prevent its spread. She was told by a consultant that without urgent surgery, she would not survive the night.
Surgeons performed a 'terrifying' operation, removing a significant portion of her leg to halt the infection. Ms Fonjock spent two weeks in intensive care, in a coma, during which her body entered 'survival mode' and multiple organs began to fail. Her husband, Lionel, described the immense difficulty of explaining the severity of her condition to their young daughters, preparing them for the possibility that their mother might not return home.
Five years on from her ordeal, Ms Fonjock’s case is now helping researchers in Cambridge enhance methods for identifying and treating necrotising fasciitis. She is one of 87 patients included in a 10-year study at Addenbrooke's, spanning cases from January 2015 to March 2025. This research has highlighted that factors such as age and underlying health conditions, including heart or kidney disease, elevate the risk of death from the infection.
Necrotising fasciitis is a rare but aggressive infection, often entering the body through a break in the skin, although the exact cause is not always apparent. Individuals with weakened immune systems or conditions such as type 2 diabetes, which Ms Fonjock has, are at an increased risk. The NHS advises that warning signs include severe pain, redness, blisters, changes in skin colour, and vomiting. Researchers have also noted that while a high white blood cell count typically signals infection, a low count in severe cases can indicate an overwhelmed immune system.
Ms Fonjock, who had to learn to walk again and regain fine motor skills after her recovery, expresses profound gratitude for being alive and retaining her leg. Her experience underscores the critical need for public awareness and prompt medical attention for this rapidly progressing and potentially fatal infection.
Source: Caroline Fonjock