Symptoms Of Osteomyelitis To Watch For

Fatigue And Lethargy

Whenever the body is fighting off an infection, it uses most of its energy to do so (particularly when the infection is severe). This often leaves the body in a state of fatigue and is largely the reason why many treatments for infections include getting a lot of rest. Resting the body ensures it can use as much energy as possible to fight against the infection at hand. It is no different with osteomyelitis. The infection takes up a lot of energy, leaving patients fatigued and lethargic, even when they do get the same rest as they would without the infection (they need more). Fatigue and lethargy are also closely connected to feeling irritable, which is especially true in children affected by this condition.

Weight Loss

While weight loss may not always occur in acute cases of osteomyelitis, weight loss is a significant symptom with recurrent bone infections and therefore, often appears with chronic instances of osteomyelitis. It is also important to note weight loss in osteomyelitis appears to be unexplained. It is not, therefore, weight loss because of increased exercise, adjustments in diet, or from other illnesses or clear causes. That said, when osteomyelitis causes weight loss, it is often the result of lost mineralization in the bones, decreased appetite, and even associated conditions, such as diabetes.