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'One Chicago' Crossover 2019: Why the 'Infection' storyline is terrifying and more about the flesh-eating bacteria threatening to destroy the city

All three parts of the crossover event for 'Chicago Fire', 'Chicago P.D.', and 'Chicago Med', were written by Derek Haas and is touted to be the biggest crossover yet

There are only a few more days before the biggest, baddest 'One Chicago' crossover event hits our screens and we, like everyone else, want to know everything about it. Firstly, the viewing order will be different for this Wednesday night, with 'Chicago Fire' airing first, followed by 'Chicago Med' and ending the crossover night will be an episode of 'Chicago P.D.'. The episodes are each titled 'Infection' Parts 1, 2, and 3, and have all been written by Derek Haas. Haas himself has tweeted, "Well, I just watched the three-hour crossover with my family last night and no one could sleep after. It's a Halloween treat," leaving viewers excited about what's in store for them.

The premise of the crossover is the outbreak of flesh-eating bacteria that starts out by affecting residents of one apartment building. With the victims coming in from the same area, the members of the 'One Chicago' family suspect there's more to it. Further, later on in the trailer, we see that this is part of an act of biological terrorism with an unknown suspect wanting "mass destruction in Chicago".

We have seen the flesh-eating bacteria storyline in other medical dramas such as 'House' and 'Grey's Anatomy', but we have never seen it on the scale that the 'Chicago' franchise is attempting. There have been more cases of flesh-eating bacteria over the last couple of years in the United States and this is attributed to rising temperatures all around the world. Scientifically named Necrotizing fasciitis, the bacteria penetrates the body's through an open cut or abrasion and actually causes rapid decaying of tissue. There have also been cases of flesh-eating bacteria after people ingested raw oysters.

Of course, in real life, we don't have to worry about the kind of situation we would see on the crossover -- for one, the bacteria needs warmer climate, therefore being more present along the Gulf of Mexico, Chicago may be the last place you can expect it. Often, on the news about victims of flesh-eating bacteria, we see the extreme cases -- where the victim has lost a limb or dying. However, the reality is that most people suffer from mild illnesses. 

'Chicago Med' will essentially take it to the next level with CDC coming in as well -- there will be a whole quarantine zone set up around the hospital. The question is whether such a flesh-eating bacteria can be weaponized as is implied in the trailer. But for now, viewers can rest easy and hopefully avoid any nightmares that might be brought on by Wednesday's crossover event. 

The 'One Chicago' crossover event will air this Wednesday night on NBC.