[nothemama8]

if someone has gangrene (sp) can it be spread to others?????

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by nothemama8

if someone has gangrene (sp) can it be spread to others?????

Gangrene its self cannot be spread to another human, as gangrene occurs when a body part (your skin muscle or even an organ) loses its blood supply, therefore, decay and death of a tissue results from the interruption in blood flow.

Surgery is usually the main course of treatment for gangrene.

[nothemama8]

Thanks Rhaps, the young lady that lives with us is diabetic and the dr found a small patch on her toe
Angie

[lynn P.]

Hi,
the answer to your question is no gangrene cannot spread to others so don't worry.

[wyrmhaven]

Gangrein can not be passed because this is not a virus or bacteria per se, it is a bodies natural progression. When a part of a persons anatomy looses blood circulation and therefore proper oxygen and removal of toxins naturally generated by the cells that compose the body, the cells start to die and atrophe. this is a laymans explanation (and may not be entirely accurate, but pretty close i am sure.) of it. Gross to be sure, but no worse than any other part of this funky experiance we call life :P

[beutifulxdreamr]

Chances are if the young lady is diabetic the gangrene was caused, as previously mentioned, because of lack of circulation to the extremity (leading to lack of oxygenation to the extremity); however, there are cases of gangrene that have a bacterial origin, as with anaerobic bacteria that burrow deep within the bodies tissues.

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec17/ch190/ch190g.html

http://www.uhhospitals.org/rainbowch...7/Default.aspx

Even if she did have something that was contagious, if she was started on antibiotics, she will (in most cases) not be infectious after 24 hours (that's a general rule, not always applicable, but usually).

Hope that helps