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Bacterial Infections

Bacteria are living things that have only one cell. Under a microscope, they look like balls, rods, or spirals. They are so small that a line of 1,000 could fit across a pencil eraser. Most bacteria won't hurt you - less than 1 percent of the different types make people sick. Many are helpful. Some bacteria help to digest food, destroy disease-causing cells, and give the body needed vitamins. Bacteria are also used in making healthy foods like yogurt and cheese.

But infectious bacteria can make you ill. They reproduce quickly in your body. Many give off chemicals called toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Examples of bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli.

Antibiotics are the usual treatment. When you take antibiotics, follow the directions carefully. Each time you take antibiotics, you increase the chances that bacteria in your body will learn to resist them causing antibiotic resistance. Later, you could get or spread an infection that those antibiotics cannot cure.

NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Symptoms of Bacterial Infections

The following features are indicative of Bacterial Infections:
  • inflammation
  • fever
  • diarrhea
It is possible that Bacterial Infections shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Bacterial Infections

The following are the most common causes of Bacterial Infections:
  • bacterial agents
  • bacterial toxins

Risk Factors for Bacterial Infections

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Bacterial Infections:
  • weakened immune system
  • human immunodeficiency virus infection

Prevention of Bacterial Infections

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Bacterial Infections. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • wash hands thoroughly
  • wear protective clothing
  • cover mouth while coughing and sneezing
  • avoid direct contact with infected patients

Occurrence of Bacterial Infections

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Bacterial Infections cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Bacterial Infections can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Bacterial Infections can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Bacterial Infections

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Bacterial Infections:
  • Acid-fast bacillus smear and culture: To detect mycobacteria that may be causing an infection
  • Bacterial wound culture: To determine whether a wound is infected and to identify the bacteria causing the infection
  • Blood culture test: To identify the blood infection
  • Gram stain: To identify the cause of a bacterial infection
  • Procalcitonin test: To detect the sepsis and monitor the response to treatment
  • Immunofixation electrophoresis: To identify the type of antibody present
  • Protein electrophoresis: To identify the presence of abnormal proteins and absence of normal proteins

Doctor for Diagnosis of Bacterial Infections

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Bacterial Infections:
  • Infectious diseases specialist

Complications of Bacterial Infections if untreated

Yes, Bacterial Infections causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Bacterial Infections is left untreated:
  • may become life-threatening

Procedures for Treatment of Bacterial Infections

The following procedures are used to treat Bacterial Infections:
  • Oxygen therapy: Raises the level of oxygen in your bloodstream

Medicines for Bacterial Infections

Below is the list of medicines used for Bacterial Infections:

Self-care for Bacterial Infections

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Bacterial Infections:
  • Prevent infections: Frequent and thorough hand-washing help to protect you from most infectious diseases
  • Get vaccinated: Reduce your chances of contracting many diseases
  • Prepare food safely: Decrease your risk of infecting yourself or others
  • Don't share personal items: Reduces the chances of contracting many diseases
  • Practice good hygiene: Prevents catching infections

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Bacterial Infections

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Bacterial Infections:
  • Intake Garlic, ginseng and vitamins: Prevents or shortens the duration of infection

Patient Support for Treatment of Bacterial Infections

The following actions may help Bacterial Infections patients:
  • Education and information: By knowing about the disease helps in prevention of athlete's foot
  • Join supporting research groups: Provides medical knowledge and care about the disease

Time for Treatment of Bacterial Infections

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Bacterial Infections to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • In 1 - 4 weeks

Is Bacterial Infections Infectious?

Yes, Bacterial Infections is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:
  • direct contact
  • indirect contact
  • contaminated food

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Bacterial Infections.
Antibiotics
Botulism
Campylobacter Infections
Cellulitis
Chlamydia Infections
Clostridium Difficile Infections
E. Coli Infections
Haemophilus Infections
Immunization
Infection Control
Lyme Disease
Meningococcal Infections
Mycobacterial Infections
Pneumococcal Infections
Salmonella Infections
Staphylococcal Infections
Streptococcal Infections
Tetanus
Tick Bites
Traveler's Health
Tuberculosis
Whooping Cough

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