necrotizing fasciitis is the medical name for flesh eating disease.
there's a basic rundown on webmd:
 
http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/62/15340.htm
 
the article does mention that the bacteria that causes the disease can
enter the body through cuts and bruises, but i can't really find anything
that talks about how contagious it is from being to being, or whether it
can be carried on clothes.  the symptoms are often rapid onset, so if you
see any weird changes that look like the listed symptoms, the best bet is
to go to the doctor *right away*.  there's a section in the article that
talks about what to do (and not do) if you see the symptoms under "home
treatment".
 
hope this helps...
 
andrea w/the somerville dynamic duo, lu and gabe
[Posted in FML issue 4166]