Erysipelas

This is an acute infectious disease caused by hemolytic streptococcus Streptococcus pyogenes. It tends to recur, characterized by limited skin inflammation, fever, and general intoxication. The disease starts with chills, fever up to 40 °C, headache, muscle pain, followed by redness, swelling, pain, and enlarged regional lymph nodes. Erysipelas most commonly occurs on the legs, less frequently on the face and other areas. Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and inflammatory blood changes typical for the disease. Treatment includes quartz, UV radiation; anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics are prescribed after a culture is taken. Infection occurs through contact via damaged skin, sometimes through airborne droplets.

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė