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Actinomycosis
Medical Questions » Actinomycosis
| Name: Actinomycosis |
| Also known as: |
| An uncommon bacterial infection of the skin, particularly the face. |
Causes of Actinomycosis
The bacteria Actinomycoses normally live in the mouth and assist with food digestion, but if they enter into damaged tissue in other parts of the body they cause an infection in which the bacteria are difficult to identify. |
Symptoms of Actinomycosis
Hard, inflamed lumps in the skin that develop into abscesses and discharge pus. Other areas that may be infected include tooth sockets after an extraction, and the gut. Other symptoms include a fever, and constant severe pain in any infected area. |
Tests for Actinomycosis
Swabs taken from discharging pus in an attempt to identify the responsible bacteria. |
Treatment for Actinomycosis
The infection is resistant to simple treatments, and a 6-week or longer course of penicillin and other antibiotics, initially by injection, is necessary. Abscesses are surgically drained and affected tissue may need to be excised (cut out).
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Complications of Actinomycosis of its treatment
Abscesses may persist for many months. |
Likely Outcome of Actinomycosis
Cure difficult, but usually possible. Permanent scarring may be left behind. |
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