Pelvic Actinomycosis and symptoms

Dear Ask The Doctor: I have been diagnosed with actinmycosis and was told that as a result of this i now have fibrosis,what is this and what are symptoms

Dear Lisa: Actinomycosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Actinomyces israelli. This is an organism that is usually found in the nose and throat normally. However sometime i can lead to infection in the chest , the abdomen or other areas of the body. This in turn  can lead to fibrosis which is basically destruction of the normal tissue and replacement  and repair with firbrous connective tissue .Fibrosis per se will not cause any symptoms but the infection  may cause lower abdominal pains,fever, abcess formations, irregular periods. Many a times intrauterine devices are linked to the development of Actinomycosis. The treatment is generally long term antibiotic therapy  and surgical drainage if any abcess is presnt.