Get to know actinomycosis, an infection that causes a stiff jaw

Actinomycosis is a rare bacterial infection that can cause a stiff jaw in rare cases. Although classified as an infection, this condition is not an infectious disease. However, actinomycosis can harm the bones or brain if not treated properly.

What is actinomycosis

Actinomycosis (actinomycosis) is an infection caused by the genus bacteria Actinomyces, as A. bovis, A. israelii, A. viscosus, and A. odontolyticus. This condition is more common in tropical areas. Although it is a bacterial infection, this condition is not contagious because the bacteria that cause it cannot live outside the human body.

This type of bacteria actually lives in the human nose and throat and is harmless. Bacteria Actinomyces can only infect and cause symptoms when it manages to penetrate the protective lining of your body cavity.

After entering the body's systems by hitching a ride on the bloodstream, the bacteria can cause abscesses (pus-filled lumps) in the tissues where they "stop". Often times, an abscess lump appears on the jaw tissue which causes the jaw to become stiff and painful.

Quoted from the website of the public health service center in the United Kingdom, the NHS, this infection can attack any part of the body. However, generally actinomycosis can attack:

• Head and neck
• Chest
• Stomach
• Pelvis

This infection is usually concentrated in one area only. However, bacteria Actinomyces it can also move from one body tissue to another via the bloodstream.

Types of actinomycosis

Quoted from published journals Infection and Drug Resistance, this condition can be divided into seven types, namely:

1. Respiratory tract actinomycosis

This condition can attack the respiratory tract, including the lungs, bronchial tubes, and larynx. Actinomycosis in the lungs is the third most common type after the attack cervicofacial (mouth, jaw, or neck) and stomach.

Infections affecting the lungs are rare in children. Meanwhile, people with poor oral hygiene, dental disease, and alcoholics have a higher risk of developing this condition.

Not only that, people with chronic lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, also have a higher risk of developing this condition.

2. Actinomycosis cervicofacial

Actinomycosis-causing bacteria cervicofacial live in dental plaque and can affect the mouth, jaw or neck. The cause has to do with problems with tooth decay and poor oral hygiene.

However, the incidence of actinomycosis cervicofacial including rare conditions around the world.

3. Actinomycosis of bones and joints

Bacteria Actinomyces can also cause infections of the bones and joints. This condition usually occurs due to the following conditions:

• Spread through blood
• Spread of the lungs to the spine

4. Urinary tract actinomycosis

This is the second most common type of actinomycosis. A common form of this condition is pelvic actinomycosis in women which occurs in the area around the pelvis.

This condition is very likely to spread to the vagina. Women who use spiral birth control are at a higher risk of developing this type of infection if taking it past the grace period that should be.

Apart from conditions that occur in a woman's pelvis, this condition can also occur in the bladder and testicles.

5. Gastrointestinal actinomycosis

This condition is caused by bacteria A. israelii and most commonly attacks the stomach appendix (appendix), cecum (transition between the small intestine and large intestine), and large intestine. This condition can occur weeks or years after you experience indigestion or have surgery on the abdomen.

6. Central nervous system actinomycosis

This condition occurs when the infection spreads through the bloodstream from the lungs, cervicofacial, or after a penetrating head injury. Infection Actinomyces this type causes symptoms of focal weakness, loss of sensory abilities, and seizures.

7. Cutaneous actinomycosis

Cutaneous actinomycosis has not been widely discussed in various studies. However, skin disorders are said to support the emergence of the resulting infection Actinomyces.

Signs and symptoms of actinomycosis

The most common signs and symptoms of actinomycosis is a muscle spasm that makes the jaw stiff. This condition occurs when due to the appearance of an abscess lump in the deep tissue, especially if it attacks the mouth area.

Usually, the lumps are painless. However, the jaw will feel locked and the mouth will not open.

Depending on the location of the infection, other symptoms are:

Lungs

Symptoms that arise due to pulmonary actinomycosis are:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Cough
• The pus comes out of the small hole in your body

Stomach

Symptoms that arise due to infections that occur in the stomach and digestive tract are:

• Diarrhea or constipation
• Stomach ache
• A lump or swelling in the stomach
• Pus comes out of the tiny holes on the surface of your skin

Pelvis

Symptoms that result from this condition are:

• Pain in the lower abdomen
• The vagina has unusual discharge or is bleeding
• Lump or swelling in the abdomen

Complications of actinomycosis

Infection Actinomyces if left untreated, it can make the bacteria more fertile to multiply in the body, thus infecting the bones. In more severe cases, the bacteria that cause actinomycosis can cause serious infection in this part of the brain and cause meningitis.

If the bacteria have infected the bone, surgery is usually necessary to remove the infection.

Actinomycosis treatment

The cause of this condition is a bacterial infection. Hence, infection Actinomyces treated with prescription antibiotics, such as high-dose penicillin. If you are allergic to penicillin, alternative antibiotics your doctor may prescribe to treat actinomycosis include:

• Tetracycline
• Clindamycin
• Erythromycin

Surgery may be performed to drain the abscess or remove the lump due to infection. Treatment therapy in the form of antibiotics and surgery (if necessary) can last up to a year or more.

Prevention actinomycosis

Changing your lifestyle to be healthier can help prevent infection Actinomyces. One of them is to routinely check the health of teeth and gums every 6 months.

If you're using spiral birth control, don't use it for longer than your doctor recommends. Spiral birth control usually lasts for about 5-10 years. If you want to prolong its use, take off the old one and replace it with a new one.

Actinomycosis is a rare and preventable condition. Early detection of this disease can also increase your chances of a full recovery. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any worrisome symptoms.