Antibiotics
Antibiotics are the main treatment for actinomycosis. A long-term course of antibiotics is required to wipe out the infection completely.
An initial course of antibiotic injections is usually recommended for 2-6 weeks, followed by a course of antibiotic tablets for another 6-12 months.
A nurse should be able to teach you how to administer the antibiotic injections in your own home so you do not need to stay in hospital for the duration of the course.
The preferred antibiotics for treating actinomycosis are benzylpenicillin, which is used for the antibiotic injections, and phenoxymethylpenicillin tablets.
Side effects of these penicillins include:
- diarrhoea
- nausea (feeling sick)
- skin rash
- increased vulnerability to fungal infections, such as oral thrush (a fungal infection that occurs in the mouth)
If you are allergic to penicillin, alternative antibiotics, such as tetracycline or erythromycin can be used.
Surgery
Occasionally, surgery may be required to repair any tissue damage or to drain the pus from any abscesses that have formed deep inside your body.
