Bacterial Infections
What are bacterial infections?
Bacteria are single-celled, complex and living creatures. Mostly the bacterial cell is filled with fluid and surrounded by thin and rubbery membrane. They can quickly reproduce on their own. They are too small to be seen without a microscope. There are many types of bacteria inside the human body and they can each have different effects on the body. There are millions of bacteria that live everywhere and can survive on their own in different environments such as extreme heat and cold, radioactive waste and inside the human body. Most bacteria are harmless and many are actually helpful. They can help by digesting food and destroying disease-causing bacteria.
Only a few types of bacteria cause infections and thus illness in people. A bacterial infection occurs when they enter the body, increase their number, grow where they’re not supposed to be and cause a reaction in the body. Harmful bacteria can enter the body through a skin cut, a surgical wound, contact with an infected person or animal, contaminated food or water, a bug bite and the human airway system. Bacterial infections can affect the skin, throat, lungs, skin, bowel, brain, blood and many other parts of the body. Few examples of bacterial infections are pneumonia, whooping cough, strep throat, ear infection and urinary tract infection (UTI). Some bacterial infections are mild and some are severe but most bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics medications.
Causes of bacterial infections
Only a few types of bacteria cause infections and thus illness in people. A bacterial infection occurs when they enter the body, increase their number, grow where they’re not supposed to be and cause a reaction in the body. Anyone can be affected by bacterial infections but people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of severe bacterial infections. The most common causes and factors regarding this condition are listed below:
People can get affected by bacteria in the environment through the airway system.
Harmful bacteria can enter the human body by a skin cut or a surgical wound.
When a person gets in direct contact with infected persons by kissing or sex.
When a person gets in direct contact with infected persons coughing.
When a person gets in direct contact with infected pets or other animals.
When a person gets in direct contact with an infected surface.
When a person eats or drinks contaminated food or water.
When a person gets in direct contact with contaminated dirt or soil.
When a person eats or drinks unpasteurized dairy products.
A person can get affected by bugs such as mosquitos or ticks or fleas.
Excessive use of antibiotics can kill the good bacteria that usually fight off bad bacteria.
Symptoms and medications of some common bacterial infections
The symptoms and severity depend on the type of bacteria, organs affected in the body. Usually symptoms start mild and get more serious with time if not treated. Some of the common symptoms are listed below:
Fever
Chillness
Headache
Fatigueness
Vomiting or nausea
Loss of appetite
Swelling or redness on specific body parts
Bacterial pneumonia: This bacterial infection is related to lungs. It is caused by different kinds of bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae or Pseudomonas aeruginosa which can live unharmfully in the throat. When a person's immune system becomes weaker for some reason, they can go down to the lungs. They can also enter the lungs through air particles from coughing or sneezing. Pneumonia is inflammation and fluid in lungs which makes breathing difficult.
Usual symptoms of this type are as below:
Difficulty in breathing or rapid breathing
High Fever
Chilling or sweating
Rapid heart rate
Cough with yellow, green or blood mucus
Fatigueness
Loss of appetite
Chest or abdominal pain during coughing or deep breathing
Generally this infection can be treated within 1-2 weeks with antibiotics and fever-pain relievers such as:
Aspirin (fever-pain relievers)
Ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin IB ) (fever-pain relievers)
Acetaminophen (fever-pain relievers)
Escherichia coli (E. coli): This bacterial infection is related to intestines. It is caused by E. coli bacteria which normally live unharmful in the intestines and help digest the eaten food. They grow on their own when raw or undercooked foods, contaminated foods or water are consumed.
Usual symptoms of this type are as below:
Low fever (less than 101 °F / 38.5 °C) to some people
Watery or bloody diarrhea
Vomiting
Stomach pains and cramps
Fatigueness
Loss of appetite
Generally this infection can go away on its own within 1 week with rest and being hydrated properly.
Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile or C. diff.): This bacterial infection is related to the intestines. It is caused by Clostridioides difficile bacteria which normally live unharmful in the colon. When a person has a weaker immune system or is taking antibiotics for a longer period, it can cause overgrowth of these bacteria.
Usual symptoms of this type are as below:
Inflammation of the colon
Diarrhea
Fever
Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting
Stomach pain or tenderness
Serious intestinal condition such as colitis
Generally this infection can be treated within 2-3 weeks with antibiotics such as:
Vancomycin ( Vancocin )
Metronidazole ( Flagyl )Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): This bacterial infection is related to the stomach which mainly affects children. It is caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria when they infect the stomach. This infection can cause peptic ulcer disease and gastritis.
Usual symptoms of this type are as below:
Burning and pain in stomach
Vomiting
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Frequent burping
Bloating
Unintentional weight loss
Generally this infection can be treated within 1-2 weeks with at least two different antibiotics at once and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), Histamine H-2 blockers such as:
Metronidazole ( Flagyl )
ClarithromycinOmeprazole ( Prilosec ) (PPI)
Esomeprazole ( Nexium ) (PPI)Lansoprazole ( Prevacid ) (PPI)
Pantoprazole ( Protonix ) (PPI)Dexlansoprazole ( Dexilant ) (PPI)
Rabeprazole ( Aciphex ) (PPI)Bismuth Subsalicylate ( (helps kill H. pylori along with antibiotics) )
Cimetidine ( Tagamet ) (Histamine H-2 blockers)Famotidine ( Pepcid, Zantac 360 ) (Histamine H-2 blockers)
Nizatidine (Histamine H-2 blockers)Strep throat: This bacterial infection is related to the throat and tonsils. It is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria when they spread through air particles due to coughing or sneezing. People can get infected by touching an infected surface or by consuming infected water or food.
Usual symptoms of this type are as below:
Painful and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches
Inflammation and soreness in throat
Sudden pain in throat
Pain when swallowing
Very small red spots on the soft part of the palate of the mouth
Swollen and tender lymph glands in the neck
Fever
Headache
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Generally this infection can be treated within 1-2 weeks with antibiotics and fever-pain relievers such as:
Aspirin (fever-pain relievers)
Ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin IB ) (fever-pain relievers)
Acetaminophen (fever-pain relievers)
Salmonella: This bacterial infection is related to food poisoning or gastroenteritis. It is caused by nontyphoidal salmonellae bacteria which normally live in the gastrointestinal tracts (GI) of humans and other animals. This infection is caused by eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and eggs or egg products or by drinking unpasteurized milk.
Usual symptoms of this type are as below:
Severe stomach upset
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Generally this infection can be treated within 1-2 weeks with antibiotics such as:
CeftriaxoneCampylobacter: This bacterial infection is related to food poisoning or gastroenteritis. It is caused by Campylobacter bacteria when raw or undercooked foods, contaminated foods or water, and unpasteurized dairy products are consumed.
Usual symptoms of this type are as below:
Severe cramping
Fever
Headache
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Generally this infection can go away on its own within 1-2 weeks with rest and being hydrated properly. Severe cases can be treated with antibiotics such as:
CiprofloxacinCellulitis: This bacterial infection is related to skin and tissue beneath the skin. It is caused by streptococcus and staphylococcus bacteria when they enter the skin through a crack or break in the skin.
Usual symptoms of this type are as below:
Red, swollen, warm and painful skin area
Blisters may appear on the affected skin
Tenderness may appear on the affected skin
Fever
Chills
Generally this infection can be treated within 1-2 weeks with antibiotics and fever-pain relievers such as:
Dicloxacillin ClarithromycinBoils: This bacterial infection is related to skin and tissue beneath the skin. It is caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria when they enter the skin through a skin wound or bug bite and develop a pus-filled bump in the skin.
Usual symptoms of this type are as below:
Red bumps
Pus-filled bumps
Painful bumps
Development of a yellow-white tip that eventually ruptures and allows the pus to drain out
Generally this infection can be treated within 1-2 weeks with antibiotics and fever-pain relievers such as:
Amoxicillin ( Moxatag )
Doxycycline ( Doryx, Vibramycin )
Mupirocin ( Centany )Impetigo: This bacterial infection is highly contagious and related to skin which mainly affects infants and young children. It is caused by Staphylococcus bacteria when they enter the skin through a cut, scrape, rash or bug bite.
Usual symptoms of this type are as below:
Itchy reddish sores especially around the nose, mouth, on the hands and feet.
Pus-filled blisters that burst easily.
Itchy yellowish fluid blisters that seeps out and forms a crust.
Skin lesions on the lips, nose, ears, arms and legs.
Swollen lymph nodes near the infected area.
Generally this infection can be treated within 1-2 weeks with antibiotics and fever-pain relievers such as:
Bacterial vaginosis (BV): This bacterial infection is related to vagina which mainly affects reproductive-age women. It is caused by overgrowth of some bacteria living in vagina that cause bacterial imbalance.
Usual symptoms of this type are as below:
Itchiness
Off-white or grey colored vaginal discharge that smells fishy
Painful urination
It goes away without treatment for some women, otherwise it can be treated within 1-2 weeks with antibiotics such as:
( Cleocin )
SolosecGonorrhea: This bacterial infection is related to sexually transmitted infection (STI) which can affect both men and women. It is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria.
Usual symptoms of this type are as below:
Vaginal or penile discharge
Painful urination
Painful sexual intercourse
Generally this infection can be treated within 5-10 days with antibiotics ointment / cream and oral antibiotics (for severe cases) such as:
Ceftriaxone (injection) + Azithromycin (oral)
Factive (oral)
Gentamicin (injection) + Azithromycin (oral)
Chlamydia: This bacterial infection is related to sexually transmitted infection (STI) which can affect both men and women. It is caused by chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) bacteria. It can be transmitted from one person to another by sexual intercourse, anal sex, oral sex or sharing contaminated sex toys. Many people don’t show any symptoms of this infection and thus can be easily transmitted from person to person.
Usual symptoms of this type are as below:
Vaginal or penile discharge
Painful urination
Painful sexual intercourse in women
Bleeding after sexual intercourse in women
Generally this infection can be treated within 1-2 weeks with antibiotics such as:
How are bacterial infections diagnosed?
Doctors may diagnose by gathering more information about a person's medical condition by examining and knowing the following things:
By knowing about the person's symptoms & possible triggers.
By knowing about the medical history of the person.
By doing a physical examination of the person to diagnose the affected body organ.
A bacteria culture test confirms whether a person has a bacterial infection and the type of bacteria causing the infection. It helps to decide the line of treatment. For a bacteria culture test, a healthcare provider takes a sample of blood, stool, urine, skin, psu, mucus or spinal fluid. Tests to diagnose bacterial infections include:
Physical examination: A healthcare provider diagnoses a bacterial infection by listening to symptoms, listening to heart and lungs, feeling to abdomen and looking at skin.
Blood Tests: A healthcare provider or laboratory takes blood samples. Blood tests are helpful to identify White Blood Cells count and Red Blood Cells count. These counts are typically changed during bacterial infections so a healthcare provider can confirm the bacterial infection.
Urine Tests: A healthcare provider or laboratory takes urine samples. These tests are helpful to identify bladder and kidney bacterial infections.
Stool (Poop) Tests: A healthcare provider or laboratory takes stool samples. These tests are helpful to intestine bacterial infections.
Fluids Tests: A healthcare provider or laboratory takes a sample of fluids such as pus or mucus. These tests are helpful to identify STIs.
Imaging Tests: If a healthcare provider thinks that a person has bacterial infection in lungs, brain or other internal organs, X-rays, Ultrasound, MRI or CT Scan are helpful to identify affected organs and severity of infection.
Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
Some bacterial infections do not need any medical treatment and they go away on their own within a few days. On the other hand, some bacterial infections need medical treatment, diet and lifestyle management to reduce symptoms and to treat infection. Healthcare providers use antibiotics in forms such as oral or IV or ointment or cream or eye drops depending on the type of bacteria, organs affected in the body and severity of the symptoms. Antibiotics either kill harmful bacteria or stop them multiplying, and help the body’s immune system to fight the harmful bacteria. Fever and pain relievers are supportive medications to manage fever and pain during infection. Sometimes, certain antibiotics do not work on some patients as per expected or they have allergies of certain antibiotics. So it is very crucial for healthcare providers to prescribe certain antibiotics based on a person's symptoms and medical history. Similarly it is important for a person to take only prescribed medications after proper diagnosis by a healthcare provider. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem so antibiotics may be prescribed only for severe bacterial infections.
Lifestyle management: Follow these lifestyle related changes before infection, during treatment or after getting rid of infection to avoid getting repeated infection.
Bacterial Vaccination: Bacterial vaccines contain attenuated or killed bacteria that activate the immune system. Antibodies are built against that particular bacteria and prevent bacterial infection in future. There are vaccines available for many bacterial infections such as diphtheria, scarlet fever, whooping cough, measles, tetanus, pertussis, H. influenzae type b and pneumococcus.
Good hygiene: Practicing good hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent bacterial infections. Good hygiene includes washing the hands and body properly and frequently, keeping all personal items clean, not sharing personal items with others, wearing clean and dry clothes etc.
Surrounding belongings: Keep all surrounding belongings at home and workplace sanitized or cleaned. This will reduce risk of bacterial infections.
Skin wounds: Bacteria get into the skin from cracks or breaks in the skin. Clean and cover cuts or wounds in skin with sterile gauze or a bandage.
Face mask:Wear a face mask when being outdoors, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing will make great help to reduce chances of spreading bacterial infection to others as well as getting affected by bacterial infection by others.
Safe food habits: Practicing good hygiene is also one of the best ways to prevent bacterial infections. Safe food habits include storing food properly, keeping perishable items refrigerated, cooking meat and poultry to a temperature that kills bacteria, washing or peeling fruits and vegetables before eating etc.
Safe sex: Use a condom during sexual intercourse as well as wash and clean private parts of both men and women before sexual activity will prevent or reduce bacterial infections.
Bug bites:Wear protective clothing and footwear when being outdoors, use bug spray etc to reduce risk of bacterial infections.
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