Symptoms of noma
Initial stage
Noma begins with a small, apparently benign lesion on the inside of the mouth.
This quickly turns into an ulcer (= wound) and leads to edema (= swelling) of the face.
The following symptoms appear:
- pain
- foul breath
- swollen neck glands
- fever
- possible diarrhea.
In the absence of treatment, the lesion progresses after 2 or 3 weeks in a lightning way towards a gangrenous phase.
Note : In rare cases, noma can affect the genitals. This form is called noma pudendi1. |
Phase gangréneuse
The lesion extends around the mouth and can affect the lips, cheeks, jaws, nose and even the orbital area (around the eyes). The wound is very deep, since the muscles and bones are usually also affected.
Affected tissues die off (they die forming a lesion called a pressure sore). The necrotic tissue leaves a gaping wound when it falls: it is at this stage that the disease is highly fatal.