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COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Ohio high school student has lost both his legs to a fast-moving case of a flesh-eating bacteria.
Doctors amputated Blake Haxton’s legs above the knees, and a spokesman for Ohio State University Medical Center said the 18-year-old was listed in critical condition Tuesday.
Haxton is the senior captain of the rowing team at Upper Arlington High School in suburban Columbus. More than a week ago, he complained to his coaches about a strained calf muscle.
Doctors say such a minor injury can pave the way into the body for necrotizing fasciitis, an infection that spreads under the skin.
The flesh-eating form of the disease requires antibiotic treatment, but when that doesn’t work doctors must remove dead skin, tissue and muscle — and sometimes limbs.