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  Life   Health  31 Aug 2018  Infection that killed 1 and left 11 with mutilated genitals linked to diabetes drug

Infection that killed 1 and left 11 with mutilated genitals linked to diabetes drug

THE ASIAN AGE
Published : Aug 31, 2018, 12:44 pm IST
Updated : Aug 31, 2018, 12:44 pm IST

The infection occurs when body tissue is dead or dying as the bacteria enters through a cut and infects the scrotum or the penis.

People with disorders that weaken the immune system are vulnerable to the infection (Photo: AFP)
 People with disorders that weaken the immune system are vulnerable to the infection (Photo: AFP)

Diabetes drugs are meant to make life better for people suffering from the serious condition. But people need to be careful while consuming medication or else it may leave them with drastic consequences.

Health officials in the US are warning people against a class of diabetes drugs which is known to cause a flesh eating genital infection. 11 people have been hospitalised of which one died due to the disease identified as Fournier’s gangrene.

The warning is related to drugs approved in 2013 to bring down blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The infection occurs when body tissue is dead or dying as the bacteria enters through a cut and infects the scrotum or the penis.

People with disorders that weaken the immune system are vulnerable to the infection which can be stopped by surgically removing dead tissue.

Tags: diabetes drug, flesh-eating infection, health