Table of Contents
What age group is most likely to get scurvy?
Risk factors and causes
- being a child or 65 years of age and over.
- daily alcohol consumption.
- use of illegal drugs.
- living alone.
- restrictive or specified diets.
- low income, reduced access to nutritious foods.
- being homeless or a refugee.
- living in areas with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Is scurvy still common?
We generally consider scurvy an uncommon disease in developed nations, but it is still present. As scurvy presents with clinical features similar to many other common conditions, we must remember it and consider it as part of an expanded differential diagnosis.
How popular is scurvy?
Scurvy is rare compared to other nutritional deficiencies. It occurs more often in the developing world in association with malnutrition. Rates among refugees are reported at 5 to 45 percent. Scurvy was described as early as the time of ancient Egypt….
| Scurvy | |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Vitamin C supplements, Citrus fruits |
| Frequency | Rare |
Why is scurvy rare today?
Scurvy (severe vitamin C deficiency) is rare as most people get enough vitamin C in their diet.
What are symptoms of scurvy?
Early warning signs and symptoms of scurvy include: weakness. unexplained exhaustion. reduced appetite. irritability. aching legs.
What does scurvy look like?
People who have scurvy get spots on their skin, especially on their legs. Their teeth may loosen and/or fall out. They may bleed from the mouth, nose, and gums (mucus membranes). A person with scurvy will look pale and feel sad (see depression).
How does scurvy spread?
Scurvy cannot be spread, it is a deficiency disease. Scurvy is caused by a severe lack of vitamin C. The only reason people got scurvy during the war was because of the lack of fresh fruits that supply vitamin C. Scurvy was also the reason sailors stored oranges and lemons on their ships, to prevent disease.
What does scurvy mean?
Definition of scurvy. (Entry 1 of 2) : a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C and characterized by spongy gums, loosening of the teeth, and a bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes. scurvy.