Sometimes however, you may have an infection and not know it, and not have any symptoms. Keep this in mind especially if you have recently had surgery or an invasive medical procedure, a break in your skin, or you have been exposed to someone who is ill.
Bacterial infections can cause some general symptoms, such as pain, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. They may also cause some other symptoms depending on where in the body they occur. Bacterial infections typically require treatment with antibiotics.
When germs get into a person's body, they can cause an infection. If you don't stop that infection, it can cause sepsis. Bacterial infections cause most cases of sepsis. Sepsis can also be a result of other infections, including viral infections, such as COVID-19 or influenza, or fungal infections.
Many mild bacterial infections get better on their own without using antibiotics. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as colds and flu, and most coughs. Antibiotics are no longer routinely used to treat: chest infections.
Antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria, but even some bacterial infections get better without antibiotics. We rely on antibiotics to treat serious, life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia and sepsis, the body's extreme response to an infection.
Some infections will go away on their own. When you do need treatment, it may include a cream or lotion to put on the skin. Other possible treatments include medicines and a procedure to drain pus.
Sepsis can develop quickly from initial infection and progress to septic shock in as little as 12 to 24 hours.1 You may have an infection that's not improving or you could even be sick without realizing it.
Call a doctor or go to the hospital right away if you think you might have a skin infection and: You have a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher. You're in a lot of pain. The redness or swelling spreads.
As discussed, if your symptoms are caused by a virus (like a cold or flu virus), you won't need antibiotics. But if you have a sore throat due to bacteria — for instance, strep throat or bacterial tonsillitis — you will need antibiotics.
Signs and symptoms of an infection
feeling generally unwell – not able to get out of bed. flu-like symptoms – feeling cold and shivery, headaches, and aching muscles. coughing up green phlegm. a sore throat or sore mouth.
Sepsis can be divided into three stages: sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock.
The early symptoms of sepsis include: a high temperature (fever) or, due to changes in circulation, a low body temperature instead. chills and shivering.
People with sepsis often develop a hemorrhagic rash—a cluster of tiny blood spots that look like pinpricks in the skin. If untreated, these gradually get bigger and begin to look like fresh bruises. These bruises then join together to form larger areas of purple skin damage and discoloration.
The type of treatment in cases of Bacterial Infections usually depends upon the severity of the infection. Symptoms in case of acute Bacterial Infections may get resolved spontaneously in a duration of approx. two weeks, without undergoing treatment.
Common bacterial diseases include UTIs, food poisoning, STIs and some skin, sinus and ear infections. They're often treated with antibiotics.
Microbes can also cause: Acute infections, which are short-lived. Chronic infections, which can last for weeks, months, or a lifetime. Latent infections, which may not cause symptoms at first but can reactivate over a period of months and years.
Antibiotics cause side effects, some of which can cause serious problems. These are some common side effects of antibiotics, and why they are bad: Severe diarrhea can cause dehydration. Dizziness can cause falls or accidents when operating machinery.
Some diseases, like HIV and hepatitis B, can't be cured, but medications can help prevent serious complications. Sexually transmitted infections can cause infertility or even lead to cancer, so it's important to take steps to protect yourself and others. Prion diseases are very serious and can't be cured.