WASHINGTON, Jan 18, (Agencies): A Tennessee teenager faced a life-altering ordeal when she was hospitalized and eventually had to undergo double leg amputation due to a rare bacterial infection. Anita Navas, 13, was admitted to the hospital a day after Christmas, as her foot, elbow, and wrist displayed redness and irritation, accompanied by fatigue and dizziness, as reported by her family in a recent Facebook post.

Medical examinations revealed that Navas had contracted strep group A and flu type B. She was subsequently transferred to another hospital for specialized care, where her condition took a critical turn. Upon arrival, she experienced a dire situation, "flatlining" with her heart stopping and blood pressure plummeting. Immediate medical intervention, including intubation, was necessary to sustain her.

Her family shared on social media that her health deteriorated further, leading to a medically induced coma due to septic shock, where her body was essentially "fighting itself." The bacterial infection from septic shock rapidly overtook her limbs, necessitating medical procedures to stabilize her, including incisions to various extremities.

Despite efforts to save her limbs, doctors were compelled to amputate both of Navas' legs just below the knees last week to enhance her chances of survival. While her arms were spared, she lost a significant portion of muscles and tissues. The family disclosed that Navas had been in the hospital for two weeks, with expectations of a six-month stay.

In a recent update, the family revealed that the infection had destroyed all the skin on her extremities, her kidneys were not functioning, and she required intermittent dialysis to address kidney issues and filter her blood. Although she is in a somewhat improved position, urgent skin grafts are needed, and the only viable option is skin cell growth therapy. The family expressed the ongoing challenges and the critical need for immediate medical interventions to aid Navas' recovery.