UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio -- A rare bacterial infection can destroy skin and the soft tissues beneath it.
It's called necrotizing fasciitis or flesh-eating bacteria, NBC 4's Amy Basista reported.
Blake Haxton, 18, an Upper Arlington senior and captain of the rowing team has the infection and it was so severe, doctors had to amputate both of his legs.
Dr. Susan Koletar specializes in infectious diseases. She said that for every 100,000 people in the United States, three people become infected with the bacteria each year.
"What happens is the bacteria gets into the deep tissue and into the muscles and kills off the muscle tissues," Koletar said.
The rare staph infection is treated with antibiotics and surgery.
"It starts because there has been some type of trauma or scratch or muscle strain," Koletar said.
Symptoms include muscle aches that don't get better after a day or two, intense pain, fever and chills.
Mike Rice, one of Haxton's crew coaches, said that Haxton is a fantastic person, a stellar individual in the classroom and on the water.
Rice said that Haxton's teammates, friends and the community are rallied around him and his family as he recovers.
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