Illness name: actinomycosis
Description:
Actinomycosis is a rare type of bacterial infection. It can be very serious but can usually be cured with antibiotics.
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 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 cut out the surrounding area if it's infected.
Get help quickly if treatment does not seem to be working. The infection can spread to other parts of your body and can be life-threatening.
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.
Actinomycosis is very rare, so the chances of getting it are extremely small.
You can help reduce your risk by:
Page last reviewed: 09 October 2020
Actinomycosis
Treatment for actinomycosis
Non-urgent advice:
Contact your GP or specialist if:
How you get actinomycosis
Possible causes
Symptoms
Jaw or mouth:
tooth decay, an injury, dental surgery
lumps on your cheek or neck, difficulty chewing, pus leaking from small holes in your skin
Lungs:
inhaling liquid or food contaminated with the bacteria
shortness of breath, chest pain, a cough, pus leaking from small holes in your skin
Tummy:
burst appendix, surgery
diarrhoea or constipation, pain, a lump or swelling in your tummy, pus leaking from small holes in your skin
Pelvis:
leaving an
IUD contraceptive coil
in for too long
pain low down in your tummy, vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge, a lump or swelling in your lower tummy
You cannot always prevent actinomycosis
Next review due: 09 October 2023