Diseases Caused by Bacteria -

Diseases caused by bacteria, also known as bacteriosis, can be easily treated with antibiotics, or their worsening can lead to death.

Most bacteria are transmitted by eating contaminated food or in contact with sick people.

Symptoms are varied, depending on the type of disease. Prevention is often based on simple care such as hand and food washing and vaccination.

Botulism

Botulism is caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum . The first cases of the disease were registered by the consumption of contaminated sausages and other canned meat products.

Transmission : ingestion of contaminated food.
Symptoms : constipation, dizziness, distorted vision and difficulty opening eyes in the light. The worsening of the disease can lead to death due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles.
Treatment : the patient must be hospitalized for treatment to eliminate the bacteria.
Prevention : be careful when choosing canned foods, taking care that the can does not have rust or is stuffed.

Brucellosis

Brucellosis is an infection caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella .

Transmission : contact with infected animals or ingestion of contaminated animal foods.
Symptoms : chills, headache, tiredness, fever.
Treatment : antibiotics should be administered, in addition to rest and hydration.
Prevention : wearing gloves or washing hands after contact with animals, eating well-done meat, boiling milk before drinking.

Cystitis

Cystitis is a chronic disease characterized by irritation or inflammation of the bladder wall.

In most cases, it is caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli , naturally present in the intestine.

Transmission : drinking too little water can stop cleaning bacteria in the bladder, such as wearing tight underwear.
Symptoms : frequent urge to urinate, burning when urinating, fever.
Treatment : use of antibiotics.
Prevention : drink water often, urinate as soon as you need it, avoid tight underwear.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis .

Transmission : sexual intercourse; from mother to child in childbirth.
Symptoms : burning when urinating; frequent urge to urinate; sore and swollen testicles in men; pain in the lower abdomen, in the case of women.
Treatment : administration of antibiotics to the couple, avoiding reinfection.
Prevention : condom use.

Cholera

Cholera is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae . If not treated, it can lead the patient to death due to the intense dehydration it causes.

Transmission : ingestion of contaminated water or food.
Symptoms : diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, weakness, weight loss and abdominal cramps.
Treatment : hydration and use of antibiotics.
Prevention : wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consuming them, as well as washing hands thoroughly before meals and improving basic sanitation.

Whooping cough

Whooping cough is an infectious contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis .

Transmission : through sneezing, saliva and coughing from infected people.
Symptoms : fever, sneezing, malaise, prolonged dry cough and shortness of breath.
Treatment : in addition to drinking lots of fluids, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs should be administered to patients, who should be isolated so that they do not transmit the disease to other people.
Prevention : childhood vaccination.

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae . Its main feature is inflammation of the throat, which causes a swelling in the neck area.

Transmission : contact with infected people, through saliva or skin lesions.
Symptoms : sore throat, appearance of plaques in the tonsils, fever and malaise, cough, fever, chills and runny nose. The worsening of the disease can lead to death from asphyxiation.
Treatment : patients must be isolated and the disease can be controlled with antibiotics.
Prevention : childhood vaccination.

Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes . It is characteristic for the appearance of scarlet-red rashes on the skin.

Transmission : contact with infected people, through saliva or nasal discharge.
Symptoms : red spots on the skin, high fever, sore throat, muscle pain, itchy body, nausea and vomiting.
Treatment : penicillin should be administered, except for allergy sufferers, for whom another type of antibiotic is given.
Prevention : avoid contact with other patients and good hygiene.

Typhoid fever

Typhoid fever is an acute bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi .

It is associated with low socioeconomic levels and poor basic sanitation, environmental and personal hygiene.

Transmission : ingestion of contaminated water or food.
Symptoms : prolonged high fever, headache, nausea, poor appetite, malaise and vomiting. In some cases, constipation, while in others diarrhea. As the disease worsens, there is a risk of abdominal bleeding and generalized infection, which can result in death.
Treatment : rest and liquid-based food, mainly. In addition to these precautions, antibiotics should be administered to patients.
Prevention : maintain hygiene habits, wash and cook food well before consumption, avoid or prevent yourself on trips to places prone to the disease.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease, caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrheae.

Transmission : sexual intercourse; from mother to child in childbirth.
Symptoms : pain and burning when urinating, bleeding, yellowish discharge and with a strong odor.
Treatment : patients should be given antibiotics.
Prevention : using condoms.

Leprosy

Leprosy is a chronic disease, formerly known as leprosy. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae , also known as Hansen’s bacillus.

Transmission : through sneezing, saliva and coughing from infected people.
Symptoms : spots on the skin, at the spot of the spots the temperature increases more than in the rest of the body. Lumps also appear on the elbows, hands and ears. Swelling in the hands and feet. Loss of muscle strength and joint pain.
Treatment : patients should be given antibiotics, the duration of which can vary from 6 months to 1 year, depending on the type of leprosy.
Prevention : go to the doctor to make a diagnosis when there is contact with sick people.

Impetigo

Impetigo is an infection of the most superficial layer of the skin that affects mainly children, caused by bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus group A.

It presents two forms: bullous impetigo and non-bullous impetigo.

Transmission : contact with wounds, through the patients’ nasal discharge or used tools.
Symptoms : In the case of bullous impetigo: blisters on the arms, chest and buttocks, fever and itching. In non-bullous impetigo: pain due to the appearance of ulcers with pus, especially in the legs.
Treatment : patients should be given antibiotics and ointments on the wounds.
Prevention : wash your hands thoroughly when you are close to the patient and avoid picking up utensils used by the patient. This is because this disease has a very high level of contagion.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira .

There is a risk of death in 40% of cases, if not treated properly. That’s because it can cause kidney damage, inflammation in the membrane that surrounds the brain, liver failure and respiratory failure.

Transmission : contact with water or objects that have urine from infected animals.
Symptoms : high fever, muscle pain, malaise, cough, red eyes and red spots on the body.
Treatment : patients should be hydrated and take antibiotics.
Prevention : wash food well before consuming it, close water tanks, vaccinate animals.

Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.

Bacterial meningitis can lead to death if it is not diagnosed in time. The 3 most common types of bacterial meningitis are caused by bacteria: meningococci, pneumococci and Haemophylus .

Transmission : through sneezing, saliva and coughing.
Symptoms : head and neck pain, stiff neck, high fever and red spots.
Treatment : patients should be given antibiotics in the vein as soon as possible. This is because the disease can result in deafness or even death.
Prevention : vaccination and avoid contact with patients.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or other parasites. The most common form occurs by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae .

Transmission : through sneezing, saliva and coughing from infected people.
Symptoms : body pain, persistent shortness of breath, high fever, cough, weakness and tiredness.
Treatment : patients should be given antibiotics. As the disease progresses, hospitalization is necessary.
Prevention : avoid overexposure to air conditioning and take proper care of colds so that they do not develop into a more severe condition that results in pneumonia.

Salmonellosis

Salmonellosis is a gastrointestinal infection caused by bacteria of the genus Salmonella and family Enterobacteriaceae.

Transmission : ingestion of contaminated food, especially rare poultry meat, eggs and water.
Symptoms : colic, diarrhea, headache and abdominal pain, fever and vomiting.
Treatment : hydration of the patient and, in their aggravation, administration of antibiotics.
Prevention : consume well-washed and cooked foods, drink boiled milk, wash hands thoroughly before meals.

Stye

Stye or hordeolo is an inflammation of the sebaceous glands of Zeiss and Mol, located on the eyelid, near the roots of the eyelashes. It occurs due to infection of bacteria, usually staphylococci.

Transmission : by touching the lesion or contact with the patient’s tear.
Symptoms : swelling of the eyelids, itching, redness, sensitivity to light and pain when blinking.
Treatment : administration of eye drops or ointment.
Prevention : wash your hands well when having contact with your eyes, do not sleep with makeup on, contact lens hygiene is poor and avoid rubbing your hands at the injury site.

Tetanus

Tetanus is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani . It attacks the central nervous system.

If left untreated, it can lead to death.

Transmission : through small cuts or wounds that come into contact with feces, plants, rusted objects and that may have the bacteria.
Symptoms : muscle stiffness, fever, headache, muscle spasms and difficulty opening the mouth.
Treatment : administration of muscle relaxant and antibiotic.
Prevention : vaccination, careful cleaning of wounds.

Trachoma

Trachoma is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory disease that affects the eyes. It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis .

Transmission : contact with people who have trachoma or with objects used by them.
Symptoms : burning eyes, enlarged pupil, itching and watery eyes.
Treatment : administration of eye drops or antibiotic-based ointment.
Prevention : do not use utensils used by the patient, wash hands well.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis or pulmonary phthisis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis , also called Koch’s bacillus (BK).

Transmission : approaching sick people who are indoors.
Symptoms : fatigue, fever, cough, weight loss, lack of appetite, sweating, hoarseness and bloody sputum, in the most severe cases.
Treatment : administration of three types of medication, in a treatment that takes months.
Prevention : child vaccination, adequate food, strict hygiene care in contact with sick people.