How a tiny bump turned into a Streptococcus bacterial infection so severe this ... trends now
A father-of-two almost lost his arm to a waterborne bacteria which got into his bloodstream during a swim on his annual Christmas getaway.
Andrew Emmerig, 48, from Warner in Brisbane, was holidaying on the Sunshine Coast, in south-east Queensland, with his wife and two young sons in December.
He was staying at Cotton Tree Caravan Park when he noticed a tiny bump on his right bicep, which within hours flared up into a severe bacterial infection.
Mr Emmerig was admitted to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital with 'gastro symptoms', he said, and a stabbing pain in his arm.
Andrew Emmerig, 48, from Warner in Brisbane , was holidaying on the Sunshine Coast, in south-east Queensland , with his wife and two young sons in December
'It felt like a fire under my arm especially in the elbow,' he told the Cairns Post.
He claimed doctors wanted to send him home with a course of antibiotics before a surgeon stepped in to take a closer look at Mr Emmerig's arm.
Mr Emmerig was transferred to ICU and put into a coma during his two weeks in hospital as surgeons battled to save his arm.
Specialists diagnosed streptococcus, a painful and rapidly spreading skin infection, which stripped the flesh from his arm to expose the muscle and veins below.
Mr Emmerig said his ravaged arm was looked 'disgusting' and admitted the possibility of losing his arm was 'scary'.
But after four separate operations on the limb, amputation was finally ruled out.
'I was concerned but they said life is the most important thing... first save my life then we can try to save my arm,' he said.
Almost three months and eight surgeries later, he still has no feeling in his
