What Bone Disease Is Caused by Microorganisms?
Microorganisms are living organisms and they may cause a bone infection. The infection, osteomyelitis, is commonly caused by bacteria or fungus but can also come from yeast. According to PDR Health, Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacteria but bone disease can also ensue from others, including E. coli and Salmonellae.
Other People Are Reading
-
Age
-
Both children and adults can develop bone infections. According to mayoclinic.com, children generally have acute and adults usually have chronic osteomyelitis.
Cause
-
Microorganisms can enter the bone through an injury or surgery. Hematogenous osteomyelitis is a blood infection that spreads to the bone and, according to PDR Health, it is more common in children.
-
Location
-
Bone infections can occur anywhere but in children the legs, upper arms, spine and pelvis are common sites. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, adult sites are often the feet, spine and hips.
Symptoms
-
Acute and chronic symptoms include pain, swelling, redness and warmth over the infected area and fever. Chronic symptoms also include fatigue and open-wound drainage near the infection site. According to mayoclinic.com, there may be no symptoms with hip, spine or pelvis infections.
Risks
-
Poor circulation, immune issues, bone surgery, injury and use of hypodermic needles, dialysis and urinary catheters increase the risk of bone infection.
Warning
-
Bone infections that are not treated and controlled may lead to amputation of the bone or even death.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Joe Hall
