Back pain, fever that comes and goes, warning signs of spinal infection, a silent danger that seems normal but is dangerous to the point of arching your back, causing paralysis or even death.
Back pain is often considered a common occurrence, but in reality, it can be so severe that it can lead to paralysis and even death.
Especially if you have back pain, fever, stiffness in your back, or swelling, heat, pain, or inflammation in your spine, because that is a sign of “spinal infection.”
How do germs enter the body?
Spinal infection is a condition in which a bacterial infection in the spine invades the body in 3 ways:
1.) Infection enters the spine directly, such as by being stabbed.
2.) Spread from infection near the spine
3.) Infections that come through the bloodstream, especially when a person’s immune system is weakened.
Symptoms of infection
Spinal infections are divided into two groups as follows:
1.) Sudden
It is usually a bacterial infection, causing severe inflammation, high fever, severe pain, stiffness and pus. Some people have so much pain that they cannot move or walk. สมัคร UFABET วันนี้ รับเครดิตฟรีสำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ However, there may not be swelling or redness like other infections.
2.) Mild infection type
Mostly caused by tuberculosis germs. Symptoms are gradual. In the beginning, patients or doctors may not know that the back pain is caused by infection and think that it is just normal back pain. Because some people do not have a fever at all and even if they do, it is not high. Some people may have a low fever.
This type of infection can take several days to be detected, and is usually detected when the infection has spread quite a bit. Some people even develop pus from their spine onto their skin, or may develop a deformity such as a hunchback.
Area of spinal infection
Spinal infections, excluding those involving the spinal cord directly, can occur in three locations:
1.) Intervertebral disc area
2.) The spine
3.) Inside the spinal canal, which is where the spinal cord and nerves reside.
The most severe form of bone marrow infection can be life-threatening and cause paralysis after 48-72 hours.
In addition, if treatment is delayed, it may not be completely cured, causing paralysis or in some cases, death. It requires a long treatment and recovery period.
Diagnosis of spinal infection
Doctors will diagnose a patient’s symptoms by asking about their medical history and symptoms, and may perform a physical examination to look for infected areas using the following methods:
1.) Blood tests to help doctors know the cause of the infection by examining various related factors, such as complete blood counts, cultures, and protein levels that indicate inflammation, etc.
2.) X-rays help doctors know about damage and injuries to the bones. Doctors usually use X-rays initially, and in some cases, they may use CT scans or MRI scans to see details in the area.
3.) Cutting a piece of tissue from a bone for examination is considered the most standard diagnosis. The doctor will inject a needle into the skin or bone to take a sample of tissue for examination. It also helps the doctor choose the right medication for the patient according to the type of infection.
4.) Other methods besides blood tests , such as using a swab to take a sample of fluid from the throat for culture, urine culture, stool test, etc.
How to treat spinal infection
Treatment for spinal infection depends on the severity of the symptoms and the type of infection. However, antibiotics are always the mainstay of treatment because a scalpel cannot kill the infection.
Surgery depends on each individual patient. It is not necessary to perform surgery in every case. The principles of surgery are:
1.) Want to know the pathogen and the results of the sensitivity test to the appropriate antibiotic.
2.) Treat neurological symptoms.
3.) Correct deformities and connect damaged bones to be strong and complete.
Prevention of spinal infection
To prevent spinal infections, observe yourself. If you have frequent back pain and a fever that comes and goes, you should see a doctor immediately. Because if you have a mild infection, especially tuberculosis, which is still common in our country, and you don’t know it, it can be severe enough to cause paralysis or even death.