infection⚑ High burden in India

Noma

Noma is a rapidly-progressive and often-fatal gangrenous of the mouth and face. Noma usually begins as an ulcer on the gums and rapidly spreads into the jawbone, cheek, and facial soft . This is followed by death of the facial tissues and fatal . Survivors are left with severe facial disfigurement often with impairments in breathing, swallowing, speaking, and vision. In 2023 noma was added to the World Health Organization's list of neglected tropical diseases.

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Symptoms — what it feels like

·Facial edema, fever, gangrene of face

Causes — why it happens

·Opportunistic

How it's found

·Based on symptoms

Prevention

·Adequate nutrition, oral hygiene

Treatment

·, nutritional supplements, oral hygiene

Complications

· & death, facial disfigurement, difficulty eating/drinking, social stigma

Outlook

·90% fatality rate without treatment

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Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.