Osteomyelitis, << `os` tee oh `my` uh LY tihs, >> is an inflammation of bone and bone marrow, the jellylike material in the core of bones. Osteomyelitis is caused by infection, usually from a bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus. Infection of bone marrow may occur if a person has a compound fracture. In such a fracture, bone marrow may be exposed to air containing bacteria. In other cases, the blood carries bacteria from a boil, from infected tonsils, or from infection somewhere else in the body to the bone marrow. Symptoms of acute osteomyelitis include fever, chills, pain over the infected bone, and nausea. Doctors usually treat the infection with antibiotics.
