A woman who was given little chance of survival after contracting a rare flesh-eating bacterial infection is now helping doctors better understand the life-threatening condition that nearly claimed her life.
Caroline Fonjock, a 45-year-old social worker, initially believed she was suffering from a routine urinary infection after noticing what appeared to be a small boil in her upper groin. Within just 36 hours, however, her condition deteriorated dramatically, leaving her drifting in and out of consciousness and vomiting repeatedly.
Doctors at Addenbrooke’s Hospital later diagnosed her with necrotising fasciitis, a rare but aggressive infection that destroys tissue beneath the skin and can become fatal within hours if left untreated.
Race against time to save her life
Medical specialists informed Caroline that she required immediate surgery to stop the infection from spreading further through her body.
The operation involved removing a significant amount of infected tissue from her leg, followed by extensive treatment and skin graft procedures. Doctors warned that without emergency intervention, she might not survive the night.
Following surgery, Caroline spent two weeks in intensive care in a medically induced coma while her body battled the infection. During that time, several of her organs began to fail, highlighting the severity of the illness.
Long road to recovery
When she regained consciousness, Caroline faced another challenge. She had lost much of her strength and mobility and had to relearn basic skills, including walking.
Five years later, she says she remains grateful not only to be alive but also to have retained her leg despite the extent of the infection.
Her husband and daughters had been prepared for the possibility that she might not survive, making her recovery all the more remarkable.
Study aims to improve survival rates
Caroline’s case is among 87 patients included in a decade-long study conducted at Addenbrooke’s Hospital between 2015 and 2025.
Researchers found that underlying conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease can increase the risk of death from necrotising fasciitis. The study also identified important warning signs that could help doctors diagnose the condition earlier.
Medical experts estimate that the infection carries a mortality rate of around one in four patients within 30 days of diagnosis.
Doctors hope the findings will improve awareness and lead to faster treatment, giving more patients the chance of survival that Caroline was fortunate to receive.