British man loses three limbs after common cold turns out to flesh-eating bacterial infection


Alex Lewis’ cold was really a deadly Group A streptococcus infection that caused him to lose his legs, left arm and part of his face. ‘I’m lucky to be alive today,’ the 34-year-old dad-of-one says.

All of Alex Lewis’ major organ began shutting down and doctors said he had a 3% chance of survival.

What a 34-year-old man thought was the common cold ended up costing his three of his limbs.

Alex Lewis, a dad-of-one from Hampshire, England, lost both legs, his left arm and his lips after his illness developed into a dangerous bacterial bug in November.

Doctors said the invasive Group A streptococcus infection had escalated into septicemia and caused toxic shock syndrome.

His major organs started shutting down, so the man was put in a medically-induced coma. He was given a 3% chance of survival, according to the Daily Echo.

Lewis’ feet, fingertips, nose, arms, lips and part of his ears turned black. His family could only watch as the man from beside his hospital bed as he fought to stay alive.

He ended up defying the odds and surviving, but doctors said they would have to amputate his legs and his left arm.
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