Alex Lewis, 34, from Britain, lost both his legs, the left hand and part of his facial skin as a result of common cold.

Alex had a common cold in November 2013, and thought, that soon will recover, but his condition worsened with every day until he lost his limbs, Metro reports.

The ailment appeared to be a result of flesh-eating bacteria in Alex's body. In a few months the poor man became an invalid. Deadly microorganisms almost ate him alive. Legs, fingers, nose, lips and earlobes of the man blackened and began to rot. The doctors said that the only way to save the life of Alex is to amputate the affected body parts. Now he will learn to walk again with the help of prosthetics.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Lewis recalled how he went to bed early one night feeling unwell, only to wake at 2am, passing blood in his urine.

His skin turned purple, his eyes dilated and he was rushed to hospital, where staff later told his wife Lucy, he wouldn't make it.