Bacteria are small microorganisms that are naturally present in the body and the environment and may or may not cause disease. Disease-causing bacteria are called pathogenic bacteria and can enter the body through ingesting contaminated food or water, unprotected sexual contact, or airways, for example.
Diseases caused by bacteria are mainly treated with the use of antibiotics, which should be used as directed by the doctor to prevent the onset of multidrug-resistant bacteria, responsible for more serious infections and more complicated treatments.
- Urinary tract infection is one of the most common infections caused by bacteria and can occur from an imbalance in the genital microbiota.
- Or because it is retaining urine.
- Does not perform adequate intimate hygiene.
- Drinks little water during the day or has stones.
- Kidneys.
- For example.
Several bacteria can cause a urinary tract infection, with the main Escherichia coli being Proteus sp., Providencia sp. and Morganella spp.
Main symptoms: The main symptoms associated with a urinary tract infection are pain and burns when urinating, cloudy or bloody urine, low and persistent fever, frequent need to urinate, and a feeling of not being able to empty the bladder.
How to treat: The doctor indicates the treatment of urinary tract infection when there are symptoms and the microorganism is identified, and the use of antimicrobials, such as Ciprofloxacin, is generally indicated. However, when there are no symptoms, your doctor may choose not to take antibiotic treatment to prevent the growth of resistant bacteria.
How prevention is performed: prevention of urinary tract infections is done by controlling the causes. Therefore, it is important to carry out adequate hygiene, to avoid retaining urine too long and drinking at least 2 liters of water a day, for example.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord, meninges, and can be caused by several species of bacteria, the main being Streptococcus pneumonia, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis, which can be contracted by secretions of people. diagnosed with the disease.
Main symptoms: Symptoms of meningitis may appear about 4 days after meningeous injury, with fever, headache and during neck movement, appearance of violet spots on the skin, mental confusion, excessive fatigue and muscle stiffness in the neck.
How to treat: Meningitis is usually treated in the hospital, so your doctor can evaluate a person’s progress and prevent complications. Thus, the use of antibiotics is necessary, depending on the bacteria responsible, and the use of penicillin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol or ceftriaxone may be indicated, for example, which should be used as directed by the doctor.
How prevention is done: Prevention of meningitis should be done mainly through vaccination against meningitis, which should be taken in childhood. In addition, it is important that people with meningitis wear masks and avoid coughing, talking, or sneezing around healthy people to prevent contagion. Find out which vaccines protect against meningitis.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are diseases that can be contracted through unprotected sexual contact, whether vaginal, oral or anal. The most common STDs caused by bacteria are chlamydia trachomatis, gonorrhea, which is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and syphilis, which is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
Main symptoms: In general, symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases may occur days or weeks after risky behavior, with sores on the genital area, vaginal or penile secretions, pain or bleeding during intimate contact, pain and burns when urinating, and abdominal pain. For example. As soon as these symptoms appear, it is recommended that you consult your urologist or gynecologist to diagnose the disease and begin treatment.
How to treat: Your doctor recommends treatment of STDs based on the disease and usually involves the use of antibiotics. In the case of chlamydia, for example, your doctor may recommend the use of azithromycin or doxycycline, while in gonorrhea the use of azithromycin or ceftriaxone, and in penicillin syphilis or erythromycin may be indicated.
In addition, it is recommended that during treatment the person avoids sex and treatment should also be performed by the couple, even in the absence of symptoms.
Prevention mode: The main form of prevention of sexually transmitted diseases is the use of condoms during sex, as this prevents direct contact between the genital mucous membranes and reduces the risk of bacterial infections, parasites It is a virus.
Leprosy, also known as leprosy, is a disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae and can be transmitted primarily through contact with the nasal secretions of people with leprosy.
Main symptoms: This bacterium has a predilection for the nervous system and can cause muscle paralysis for example. However, the most characteristic symptoms of leprosy are skin lesions, which are caused by the presence of bacteria in the blood and skin. Thus, the most characteristic symptoms of leprosy are dry skin, loss of sensation and the presence of injuries and sores in the feet, nose and eyes, which can cause blindness.
How to treat: Leprosy treatment should be indicated by the infectious disease specialist at the time of diagnosis so that there is a real chance of recovery. Thus, treatment is usually done with various medicines to eliminate bacteria and prevent disease progression and the onset of complications. The most suitable medications are Dapsone, Rifampicin and Clofazimine, which should be used in accordance with your doctor’s recommendations.
In addition, due to distortions that may occur, correction and even psychological follow-up procedures may be necessary, as people with leprosy may be discriminated against because of their appearance. He understands how leprosy is treated.
Prevention mode: The most effective way to prevent leprosy is early detection of the disease and initiation of treatment as soon as diagnosis is made. In this way, it is possible to prevent the onset of symptoms and complications and the spread to others.
Whooping cough, tuberculosis and pneumonia are respiratory diseases caused by bacteria that can enter the body through the airways and remain in the lungs, alveoli or bronchi, causing symptoms of infection. The bacteria responsible for these diseases are mainly Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Main symptoms: The main symptoms associated with respiratory infections are nasal discharge, constant cough, general discomfort, fever, headache and shortness of breath, for example. In the case of whooping cough, for example, the most characteristic symptom of this disease is a cough cough in which the person has difficulty breathing and which results in a sharp sound like a squeal.
In the case of tuberculosis, frequent coughing is one of the most characteristic symptoms, with, in most cases, discharge or blood.
How to treat: Treatment varies depending on the type of infection, being antibiotics such as azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin, for example, which should be used as directed by your doctor, and are generally recommended for whooping cough.
Treatment of tuberculosis is carried out continuously, i.e. the pneumologist or infectious disease indicates the combination of rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and stambutol for approximately 6 months or until the disease is cured. In addition, it is recommended that the person treated for TB remain isolated for the first 15 days of treatment, as it can always transmit the bacteria to others.
For pneumonia, your doctor often chooses to use antibiotics to remove the agent that causes the infection, such as amoxicillin or azithromycin, for example, in addition to rest.
How prevention is done: Prevention of respiratory infections can be done through simple measures, such as avoiding being in public and closed places, covering your mouth when coughing and washing your hands regularly. In addition, in the case of whooping cough and tuberculosis, prevention can also be done through vaccination, which should be done shortly after birth, in the case of the BCG vaccine that prevents tuberculosis, or from 2 months of life, which is the vaccine. known as DTPA, which protects against whooping cough. diphtheria and tetanus, which are also diseases caused by bacteria. Learn more about the DTPA vaccine.
Salmonellosis, or food poisoning, is a disease caused by Salmonella sp., which can be contracted through the consumption of food and water, in addition to contact with animals contaminated with bacteria. The main source of Salmonella sp. are farm-raised animals, such as cows, pigs and chickens, mainly. Thus, foods that can be obtained from these animals, such as meat, eggs and milk, are the main source of salmonellosis infection.
Main symptoms: Salmonella sp symptoms. vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, fever, headache, discomfort and chills may be observed 8 to 48 hours after contact with the bacteria. In some cases, diarrhea and blood in the stool may also be noticed.
How to treat: The treatment of salmonellosis is not usually done with the use of antibiotics, being usually indicated by the doctor to replenish fluids, to avoid dehydration, which is very common in the elderly and children, and control of nausea, vomiting and discomfort. .
In more severe cases, when symptoms persist and a blood infection is suspected by this bacteria, the infectious disease specialist may recommend the use of antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones or azithromycin, for example.
How prevention is performed: The prevention of salmonella sp. contagion, It is mainly done through personal and food hygiene measures. In other words, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly after contact with animals and before and after food preparation, especially when they are raw.
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, whose infection is caused by direct or indirect contact with urine, faeces or secretions infected with bacteria. This disease is more common during rainy periods, as urine and faeces from rats, dogs or cats spread to the site, facilitating bacterial infection.
Main symptoms: Symptoms of leptospirosis usually appear after about 5 to 14 days after the bacteria enters the body through mucous membranes or sores in the skin, and can cause symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, high fever, chills, red eyes and nausea. In some cases, the bacteria can reach the bloodstream and spread to other tissues. , including the brain, causing more severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath and coughing up blood.
In addition, due to the persistence of bacteria in the body, there may be deficiency and therefore kidney failure, which can endanger a person’s life.
How to treat: The main form of treatment is the use of antibiotics, which should be indicated as soon as symptoms appear. Normally, the infectious disease specialist recommends the use of amoxicillin for 7 to 10 days and, in the case of patients allergic to this antibiotic, erythromycin is recommended. In addition, depending on the severity of symptoms, kidney function should be monitored and dialysis may be required.
Although it is not a disease that can be transmitted from person to person, it is recommended that the person diagnosed with leptospirosis rest and drink enough water to recover more quickly.
How prevention is done: To avoid leptospirosis, it is recommended to avoid potentially contaminated sites, such as mud, rivers, standing water and flooded areas, for example. In addition, in case of flooding of the house, for example, it is recommended to wash all furniture and floors with bleach or chlorine.
It is also important to prevent the accumulation of garbage in the home and avoid the accumulation of water, since in addition to avoiding leptospirosis, other diseases, such as dengue and malaria, are prevented. Learn more to prevent leptospirosis.