GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) -- Days after giving birth to twins, a South Carolina mother has been hospitalized for what doctors say is a rare flesh-eating infection.

Friends of Lana Kuykendall said on NBC's "Today" show Thursday that the 36-year-old mother noticed a spot on the back of her left leg after giving birth to twins last week.

Krissy Davison says Kuykendall first thought she had a blood clot. But the infection known as necrotizing fasciitis began to spread and the young mother has undergone four surgeries. Friends and family are caring for her babies.

Meanwhile, a Georgia graduate student is fighting the same type of infection. Doctors say Aimee Copeland lost a leg and could lose all her fingers from the infection that spread days after she suffered a deep cut while zip-lining.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)