Suth Ret Cambodian girl with necrotizing fasciitis Country: Cambodia

1. Biography of Sut Ret
2. Help from a Canadian Immigrant
3. Medical Treatment and Recovery

Biography of Sut Ret

Sut Ret, now 18 years old, is a Cambodian girl who suffered from necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating bacteria that literally ate away her face after a routine dental procedure to remove one of her teeth. The procedure, which took place in December 2016, turned into a disaster for Sut and led to the development of necrotizing fasciitis. The wound left after the extraction was not promptly treated, allowing bacteria from Sut's throat to enter her bloodstream. The harmful bacteria began to destroy Sut's body, causing severe damage to the skin on the right side of her skull and leaving her without a face. Last week, Ret was admitted to a hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, weighing only 38 kg due to the illness.

Help from a Canadian Immigrant

Julia Hurry, a Canadian immigrant residing in the same village as Sut, reached out for international assistance and started fundraising to cover the medical expenses. Julia came across pictures of the consequences of necrotizing fasciitis online, posted by a local resident who also hoped to find help for Sut. Julia, originally from Toronto, stated, "When I saw her, I immediately wanted to help." Sut was aware of her condition but did not fully comprehend the extent of the damage to her face. Julia added, "I cannot even imagine the circles of pain she had to go through. It is not like cancer or any other disease; it is unlike anything else."

Medical Treatment and Recovery

Sut received a visit from a German team of surgeons specializing in facial reconstruction and a Malaysian surgeon with 40 years of experience. Julia stated, "Sut's condition is currently stable, but time is of the essence. We hope to raise funds to aid her recovery." According to the UK National Health Service, the bacteria causing necrotizing fasciitis already reside in various parts of the human body. Normally, this does not pose any problems, but in rare cases when the bacteria enter a wound or bloodstream, there is a possibility of a fatal outcome. Necrotizing fasciitis is an infection most commonly caused by Group A Streptococcus. Usually, the infection lasts only a few days and is relatively mild, as the body can cope with the bacteria on its own. However, in some unusual cases, the disease can take extremely severe forms. The bacteria infect the flat layers of tissue known as fascia, which surround muscles, nerves, organs, and blood vessels. The infection also damages the tissue next to the fascia. Sometimes, the toxins produced by these bacteria destroy the infected tissue, resulting in tissue death. In cases where the infection spreads rapidly, the consequences can be extremely serious, including limb loss or death.