Actinomycosis - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Home Remedies

What is Actinomycosis ?

Actinomycosis is a chronic infection caused by filamentous, gram-positive, actinomyces israelii and due to the presence of Actinomyces bovis which is characterized by hard swellings which exude pus by long sinuses. Mostly seen on the face, neck, chest and abdomen.

What are the causes of Actinomycosis ?

• Actinomyces israelii is a common cause of Actinomycosis.
• It is normally occur in the face and neck because of bacterium's normal location is nose and throat.
• Dental abscess or oral surgery both are the common cause of actinomycosis.
• Actinomyces creates diseases due to its introduction in to facial tissues by by trauma, surgery, or infection.

Symptoms of Actinomycosis

• Fever, chest pain and difficulty in breathing,fatigue, weight loss are the common symptoms of actinomycosis in the thorax.
• Chewing becomes difficult when it occurs around the muscles of mastication.
• Vomiting is also the symptoms of this disease.
• Change in bowel habits and Sensation of a mass
• Anorexia and nausea also occur at the time actinomycosis
• Hard swelling and reddish lump on the upper neck.
• Pain is minimal to absent.

Treatment of Actinomycosis

• Treatment of actinomycosis takes long time.
• Penicillin through a vein for 1 to 2 months and which is followed by the penicillin taken by the mouth for 6 to12 months.
• Antimicrobial therapy is effective in most cases.
• Drugs like Doxycycline, Clindamycin, Amoxicillin are prescribed as essential for the disease.
• Surgical treatment may include incision and drainage of abscesses.
• To treat Actinomycosis doctor prescribes antibiotics like tetracycline.