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Actinomycosis is a rare type of bacterial infection. It can be very serious but can usually be treated with antibiotics.
The bacteria that cause actinomycosis normally live harmlessly in the body. They only cause an infection if they get into the lining of areas such as the mouth or gut.
You cannot spread the infection to other people.
Any part of the body can be infected, but the head and neck, chest, tummy and pelvis are most commonly affected.
Possible causes of actinomycosis include:
You're more likely to get actinomycosis if you have type 2 diabetes or a weakened immune system.
Symptoms of actinomycosis depend on what part of the body is affected.
| Area of the body | Symptoms |
|---|---|
|
Area of the body
Jaw or mouth |
Symptoms
Lumps in your cheek or neck, difficulty chewing, pus leaking from your skin |
|
Area of the body
Lungs |
Symptoms
Shortness of breath, chest pain, a cough, pus leaking from the skin on your chest |
|
Area of the body
Tummy |
Symptoms
Diarrhoea or constipation, pain, a lump or swelling in your tummy, pus leaking from the skin on your tummy |
|
Area of the body
Pelvis |
Symptoms
Pain low down in your tummy, vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge, a lump or swelling in your lower tummy |
Actinomycosis is treated with antibiotics. Treatment starts off in hospital with antibiotics given directly into a vein (intravenously).
When you're well enough to go home, you'll be given antibiotic tablets to take for a few months.
It's important to keep taking antibiotics until they're finished, even when you feel better.
You might also need surgery to drain areas of pus (abscesses) and remove the surrounding area of skin if it's infected.
Actinomycosis is very rare, so the chances of getting it are extremely small.
You can help reduce your risk by looking after your teeth and gums.
