A Filipino international student working in Sydney has shared his harrowing experience after a small cut he got at work led to a life-threatening infection.
Yvohn Ray Rosero, originally from the Philippines, was doing his regular shift at a clothing store in Burwood when the accident happened.
“I was just on my usual morning shift, arranging some denim pants and putting up discount signs at the front of the store,” Rosero told 9news.com.au.
While setting up, he accidentally scraped his left index finger on the edge of a metal sign. “It just bled a little. I thought it was nothing,” he said.
He cleaned the wound, wrapped it in tissue, and went on with his day.
But the next morning, things took a turn.
“I woke up feeling stiffness in my finger. After I showered, I started to feel cold and shivery,” he said.
Determined not to miss work, he put on a fresh bandaid and reported for duty. However, one of his co-workers noticed he looked unwell and encouraged him to seek medical help.
He went to the emergency department at Westmead Hospital, where he waited nearly six hours to be seen. By the time doctors checked him, the infection had already spread up to his elbow.
“My finger had turned black — it was already necrotic. I was admitted immediately,” he said.
Doctors soon diagnosed him with Necrotising Fasciitis, a rare but fast-spreading bacterial infection often called “flesh-eating disease.” He was moved to the intensive care unit and had to undergo six surgeries to stop the infection from spreading.
Although doctors initially tried to save his finger, it eventually had to be amputated.
The experience was traumatic for Rosero, but he remains grateful for the medical staff who helped save his life.
“I never imagined that a small cut would change my life this way,” he said.
Rosero now has to take at least a month off work to recover. A fundraising campaign has been launched online to help with his medical and living expenses.
Having lived in Australia for the past three years, Rosero says this experience taught him and his loved ones an important lesson.
“I always remind my friends and family now — no matter how small the wound is, wash it properly. Use antiseptic cream or wipes right away. Don’t ignore it.”