A42.8: Other forms of actinomycosis

Specific bacteria have proliferated in a particular area of your body.

Bacteria occur everywhere in the environment. For example, bacteria can be transmitted by air or skin contact. Some bacteria frequently cause diseases if you come into contact with them. Other bacteria can also live on the skin or in the intestines without making us sick. However, you can be weakened by other medical conditions. In that case, you can also fall ill as a result of these otherwise harmless bacteria.

Specific bacteria have caused you to have an inflammation. These bacteria are called actinomycetes. The inflammation often progresses over a longer period. A particular area of your body has become inflamed by the bacteria. You may for instance have inflammation of the skin or brain.

The symptoms depend on which area of the body is inflamed. When the skin is inflamed, the affected areas can for instance swell up considerably and be painful. When the brain is inflamed, you may have headaches, for example. Ducts may be formed from the inflamed area to other areas of the body. Pus can be discharged via these ducts.