Urinary tract infections (UTI) UTIs are mainly caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) and are the most common infection in humans worldwide.
Common bacterial diseases include UTIs, food poisoning, STIs and some skin, sinus and ear infections. They're often treated with antibiotics.
Examples of bacterial infections include whooping cough, strep throat, ear infection and urinary tract infection (UTI).
More commonly known as MRSA (which stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), this 'superbug' is very easily spread through human contact and can cause a range of illnesses from skin disorders to deadly diseases like meningitis and pneumonia.
Superbugs are strains of bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi that are resistant to most of the antibiotics and other medications commonly used to treat the infections they cause. A few examples of superbugs include resistant bacteria that can cause pneumonia, urinary tract infections and skin infections.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that is commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless.
Genus: Staphylococcus
Species commonly found in humans: Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus (potential pathogen). What it does: This is one of the most common microbes found on the human skin and nose. About 25% of healthy people carry this bacteria, according to the CDC.
Some of the common bacterial diseases in humans are tuberculosis, pneumonia, typhoid, tetanus, etc. Bacteria that cause various diseases in humans are known as pathogenic bacteria.
Bacteria are classified into five groups according to their basic shapes: spherical (cocci), rod (bacilli), spiral (spirilla), comma (vibrios) or corkscrew (spirochaetes). They can exist as single cells, in pairs, chains or clusters. Bacteria are found in every habitat on Earth: soil, rock, oceans and even arctic snow.
Bad bacteria are those which do us harm. We refer to them as pathogens. These might be acquired from our environment. The bacterium causing cholera, Vibrio cholerae, can be acquired by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the faeces of infected people or through direct contact with an infected person.
Many bacterial infections are contagious, meaning that they can be transmitted from person to person. There are many ways this can occur, including: close contact with a person who has a bacterial infection, including touching and kissing.
Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infection. They kill bacteria or prevent them from reproducing and spreading. Antibiotics aren't effective against viral infections. This includes the common cold, flu, most coughs and sore throats.
The first bacterial disease ever discovered was anthrax (caused by Bacillus anthracis) of cattle and sheep in 1876. The discovery of anthrax in cattle was immediately followed by the discovery of fireblight of pear and apple (caused by Erwinia amylovora) by T. J. Burrill from the University of Illinois (1877–1885).
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change and can fight off the antibiotic medicines that typically kill them. Antibiotic resistance greatly limits treatment options and is a worldwide health problem. Some strains of bacteria are now superbugs, which means they don't respond to several different antibiotics.
Honey is one the oldest known antibiotics, tracing back to ancient times. Egyptians frequently used honey as a natural antibiotic and skin protectant. Honey contains hydrogen peroxide , which may account for some of its antibacterial properties.
Once the antibiotic treatment ends, the few remaining bacteria can grow again, restoring the infection. Infections that can't be treated are a significant problem.
Bacterial Infections
Symptoms persist longer than the expected 10-14 days a virus tends to last. Fever is higher than one might typically expect from a virus. Fever gets worse a few days into the illness rather than improving.
When Antibiotics Are Needed. Antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria, but even some bacterial infections get better without antibiotics.
Diagnosis of Bacterial and Viral Infections
But your doctor may be able to determine the cause by listening to your medical history and doing a physical exam. If necessary, they also can order a blood or urine test to help confirm a diagnosis, or a "culture test" of tissue to identify bacteria or viruses.