Osteomyelitis is a condition where an infection occurs in the bones. It can be either acute or chronic. The main cause are bacterial infections due to open fractures or operations. It usually requires anti-infection medication such as antibiotic drugs and sometimes even an operation to remove the infected tissue.
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bones, which is most often caused by bacterium such as staphylococcus aureus, but other bacteria may also cause osteomyelitis. An osteomyelitis can become chronic (last longer than 6 weeks) due to an encapsulation of bacteria in damaged bone material. This way the bacteria are out of reach for a proper immune reaction end even for medication.
The causes of osteomyelitis are mainly the infections caused by bacteria. Depending on the origins of the infection, it can be classified into: 1) Infections through the blood stream: once there are certain bacteria in the blood, the pathogenic germs can enter the bone via the bloodstream. It is the most common way for children to get an osteomyelitis. 2) Direct infections: open fractures will result in an open wound on the bone, and bacteria can break into the bone directly and result in an infection. People who underwent bone surgery may also have higher risks of getting direct infections. 3) Infections from nearby infected tissues: when bacteria enter the body’s tissues through a superficial wound, the bacteria can travel through the tissue to the bones and result in an osteomyelitis. People with osteomyelitis may suffer from symptoms such as pain (especially at night), redness, warmth and swelling of the affected limp, as well as fever and chills.
The treatment of osteomyelitis includes medication and surgery. Medication such as antibiotic drugs are often used to treat the infections. However, it is important to identify the specific pathogenic germ in order to predict which antibiotic works best. For severe and chronic cases, surgery to repair or to remove affected bone parts is necessary.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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