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Bacteria are a group of microscopic, predominantly unicellular organisms. They are essential for the breakdown of organic matter. They are located on the human skin, mucous membranes, in the digestive tract, some of them are vital for a person. Bacteria are diverse in shape, for example, cocci are spherical, rods are cylindrical, spirochetes are spiral. Some bacteria have flagella and can move around. Rod-shaped bacteria that form heat-resistant endospores are bacilli. Aerobic organisms require oxygen, while anaerobic organisms require very little oxygen. Some microorganisms cannot live in the environment in the presence of oxygen, others - in its absence.
Symptoms
- Stomach ache.
- Also, for each infectious disease, their symptoms are distinguished.
Causes
Pathogenic bacteria cause infections. Bacteria of the natural microbial flora of a person can also become pathogenic, for example, when immunity is weakened or due to other reasons, certain strains of bacteria begin to multiply more than usual. However, most often, infectious agents that cause a disease enter the human body from the outside, for example, through contact with a patient or a bacteria carrier. Usually, the infection enters the human body through the mouth or nose, but microbes can enter the circulatory or lymphatic system through open wounds.
Bacteria cause many diseases. For example, streptococci cause angina, pneumococci often cause inflammation of the middle ear; mycobacteria cause tuberculosis, meningococci contribute to the appearance of inflammation of the membranes of the brain and (or) spinal cord (meningitis). Other notable bacterial infections are tetanus, anthrax, typhoid, cholera, and plague. Pathogenic microorganisms also cause some childhood diseases, such as whooping cough, scarlet fever, diphtheria.
Treatment
After the creation of very effective drugs - antibiotics, most bacterial infections are not as dangerous as they used to be. Antibiotics are organic matter formed by microorganisms and having the ability to kill microbes. Antibiotics are also called antibacterial substances extracted from plant and animal cells. They are used in the form of tablets, intravenous and intramuscular injections. Some antibiotics inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria, while others kill them. The first group of antibiotics, which has a bacteriostatic effect, includes tetracyclines, chloramphenicol; to the second, which has a bactericidal effect - penicillin, rifamycin and aminoglucosides.
You can protect yourself from bacterial infectious diseases by avoiding contact with infected people, properly handling food and observing good personal hygiene. Mild infections usually go away on their own. Some bacterial infections can be vaccinated. First of all, it is recommended to vaccinate children against childhood diseases, as well as when traveling to exotic countries.
The doctor, first of all, will establish an accurate diagnosis of a bacterial infection. Without additional research, antibiotics are prescribed only for patients with common infectious diseases, the diagnosis of which is not difficult. In severe cases, it is necessary to establish the causative agents of the infection: there are bacteria that are resistant to certain groups of antibiotics.
Course of the disease
In some people, antibiotics cause an allergic reaction, usually a skin rash. In such cases, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will prescribe another medicine. If the patient, not paying attention to the allergic reaction, takes antibiotics again, then anaphylactic shock is possible with the possibility of death.
If, while taking antibiotics, you do not follow the instructions of a doctor, then the infectious agents in the body can develop resistance to these antibiotics.
These diseases include acute respiratory infections, some pneumonias, pyelonephritis, scarlet fever, syphilis, salmonellosis, tetanus, plague, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, erysipelas, endocarditis and many others. Their peculiarity is that they are caused by microorganisms that have a cell wall and a unique set of protective and aggression factors.
What is a bacterium
A bacterium is a single-celled microorganism that has a cell wall, unlike viruses and prions.
With regard to the development of diseases in humans, all bacteria are divided into:
- pathogenic;
- conditionally pathogenic;
- not pathogenic.
Pathogenic bacteria, when they enter the human body, always cause the disease caused by them. This feature of them is determined by the presence of special devices designed for aggression towards humans. Among these factors of aggression can be identified:
These microorganisms include:
- bacillus Luffner, which causes diphtheria;
- salmonella, which causes salmonellosis;
- bacillus anthracis, which causes anthrax;
- gonococcus, which causes gonorrhea;
- pale treponema, causing syphilis and others.
Conditionally pathogenic microorganisms can live on the human body, normally without causing disease, but under certain conditions become pathogenic.
These bacteria include:
- coli;
- streptococcus;
- staphylococcus;
- proteus and some others.
Non-pathogenic microorganisms do not cause disease in humans under any circumstances.
What happens when pathogens enter the human body
For a pathogen to cause disease in humans, several conditions must be met.
- The number of bacteria must be large enough. One or two bacteria are practically incapable of infecting a person; non-specific and specific defense systems of the human body can easily cope with such an insignificant threat.
- Bacteria must be complete, that is, they must have all their pathogenic properties. Weakened strains of bacteria also do not pose a danger to humans, they are only able to inform the immune system about their properties so that in the future the immune system can adequately recognize its enemy. The action of various vaccinations is based on this principle.
- Bacteria must get to a place in the body where they can attach, infiltrate, take root and multiply. If, for example, salmonella gets on the skin of a person, and not in the gastrointestinal tract, then such a person will not develop salmonellosis. Therefore, before eating, you need to wash your hands.
- The human immune system should not be ready for a bacterial attack. If immunity is vaccinated naturally or artificially, then in most cases the bacteria will not be able to break through the defenses of the body's defenses. On the contrary, if immunity has not met with this type of bacteria or it is greatly weakened (for example, with AIDS), then this means that such an organism has all the gates open for the invasion of a bacterial infection.
If all these conditions are met, then an infectious bacterial infection occurs. But every infection has incubation period, which can be from several hours (food poisoning), to several years (leprosy, tick-borne borreliosis). In this period, bacteria multiply, settle down, get used to new conditions of existence, and spread through the internal environments of the body.
From the moment the first symptoms of the disease appear, the incubation period ends, and the disease itself begins with the corresponding clinical picture. With some infectious bacterial diseases, the body can cope on its own, with others it may need outside help.
How is a bacterial infection diagnosed?
Diagnosis of a bacterial infection is carried out by the following methods:
- using a microscope (microscopy with staining);
- with the help of sowing (material with bacteria is smeared on a special nutrient medium and allowed to stand warm for about a week, after which they look at what has grown there and make a conclusion);
- using the determination of antigens and antibodies (laboratory methods: ELISA, RIF, PCR and others);
- by infecting animals (biological method: rats, mice are infected with the material, then they are opened and the insides are examined under a microscope)
How is a bacterial infection treated?
The main method of treatment of bacterial diseases is antibacterial chemotherapy. There are many groups and varieties of antibiotics that are designed for strictly defined groups of microorganisms.
Antibacterial treatment must be taken seriously, as the mismanagement of antibiotics in recent times has created real disasters in the modern world. The fact is that microorganisms, due to their inherent mutations, gradually get used to antibiotics and sooner or later the so-called antibiotic resistance of microorganisms arises. In other words, antibiotics simply cease to act on them, and then more powerful antibiotics (reserve antibiotics) have to be used, which are still able to resist bacteria.
Thus, medicine is indirectly guilty of the birth of infections associated with the provision medical care(ISOMP). Previously, such infections were called nosocomial (HAI) or hospital-acquired (HI). These infections differ from the usual ones in that standard antibiotics do not work on them and can only be defeated by using more powerful drugs.
Recently, multidrug-resistant strains of tuberculosis infection have appeared. There are not so many drugs against tuberculosis. Medicine uses mainly what was developed during the Soviet era. Since then, the development of phthisiology has noticeably halted. And now, no anti-tuberculosis drugs (there are only 6 of them) have no effect on this type of tuberculosis infection. In other words, people with this form of infection are incurable. But more than that, they are deadly to the people around them, because they are carriers.
Causes of antibiotic resistance
Antibiotic resistance is a natural process, since bacteria, like all living things, are able to adapt (adapt) to changing environmental conditions. But the speed of this process was significantly affected by the inept use of antibacterial drugs. When antibiotics were sold in pharmacies without a prescription, anyone (or, even worse, a pharmacist!) could "play" doctor and prescribe a treatment for themselves. But, as a rule, this treatment ended in 1-2 days, after the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease. And this led to the fact that the bacteria were not completely destroyed, but passed into other forms (L-forms) and long time lived in the "dark corners" of the body of "cured" people, waiting for the right moment. With a decrease in immunity for one reason or another, they again turned into their original forms and caused the same disease that could be transmitted to other people, and so on.
It is for this reason that antibiotics are prescribed for a course of 5-7-10-14 days. Bacteria must be destroyed completely, and not accustomed to antibiotics.
But there is another problem with antibiotic therapy. It lies in the fact that in addition to pathogenic bacteria, when taking antibiotics, beneficial ones (lacto-bacteria, bifidobacteria) are also destroyed. gastrointestinal tract). This can serve as a start for the transition of the conditionally pathogenic flora of the gastrointestinal tract into a pathogenic one and lead to the development of such a complication of antibiotic therapy as dysbacteriosis, which requires some treatment in the form of stimulation of the growth of beneficial intestinal microflora.
How does a bacterial infection progress?
With the development of a bacterial infectious process, one of the first symptoms will be fever. She is usually tall. The fever is caused by the fact that the LPS-complex of the bacterial cell wall, when it is destroyed, enters the bloodstream and reaches the hypothalamus, namely the center of thermoregulation in it, together with the blood flow. The LPS-complex shifts the set point of the thermoregulation center and the body “thinks” that it is cold and increases heat production, reduces heat transfer.
Fever is a protective reaction of the body, since body temperature up to 39 degrees stimulates the immune system. If the body temperature rises above 39 degrees, then it must be brought down with paracetamol or, indirectly, with antibiotics (a decrease in body temperature within 24-48 hours from the start of antibiotic therapy is a sign of a properly selected antibacterial drug).
Another manifestation of the bacterial infectious process is the intoxication syndrome. It is manifested by a deterioration in well-being, apathy, a decrease in mood, headaches, pain in muscles and joints, nausea, vomiting, and the like are possible. To relieve these symptoms, you need to drink a lot. warm water(at least 2 liters per day). Excess water will dilute the bacterial toxins, reducing their concentration, and also remove some of them in the urine.
These two signs of bacterial inflammation are universal to almost all infections. All other signs are due to the characteristics of a particular pathogen, their exotoxins and other factors of aggression.
Separately, it should be said about such specific infections as tuberculosis, syphilis, leprosy (which, however, no longer exists). These infections are a little different from the rest. The fact is that they have existed for a long time with humanity and human body got a little used to them. They, as a rule, do not cause a bright picture of the infectious bacterial process, the clinical manifestations with them are not bright. But they cause specific inflammation in the body, which can be seen through a microscope (granulomas). These diseases are treated with great difficulty and treatment consists only in eliminating the clinical manifestations of the disease. Completely cleanse the human body of these pathogens (erradication) on this moment does not seem possible.
How the body fights bacteria
The immune system of the body consists of two subsystems: humoral and cellular.
The humoral system is designed to create special antibodies to pathogen antigens. These antibodies, like bullets, are able to pierce the cell wall of bacteria. It happens in the following way. When a harmful bacterium enters the body, it somehow meets with special guard cells of the immune system - macrophages. These macrophages attack and devour the bacterium, thereby studying its antigenic structure (in fact, they look at the “skin” of the bacterium and look for “protrusions” on it - antigens where an antibody can be attached so that it makes holes in this skin). After examining the bacterium, macrophages, already called antigen presenting cells (APCs), go to the central organs of the immune system (red bone marrow) and report on the bacterium. They give the order to make antibodies (proteins) that will be able to attach to a given cell wall. The antibodies created are simply released into the bloodstream. When an antibody finds its antigen, it attaches to it. Proteins begin to join this “antigen-antibody” complex from the blood, which change the spatial configuration of the antibody in such a way that the latter unfolds, bends and pierces (perforates) the bacterial wall, causing its death.
Cellular immunity works differently. White blood cells (leukocytes), like an army of soldiers, massively attack the enemy, using special proteolytic enzymes, hydrogen peroxide and other weapons for this. Outwardly, it looks like pus. It is thanks to such an abundance of proteolytic enzymes in pus that it is able to dissolve surrounding tissues and break out, thereby removing foreign substances from the body.
What happens after recovery
Recovery may be clinical, laboratory, or complete.
clinical recovery means the absence of any symptoms related to this disease.
Laboratory cure put when it is impossible to detect any laboratory signs of the presence of this disease.
Full recovery will be when the human body does not remain pathogenic microbes that caused the disease.
Of course, not all infectious bacterial processes end in recovery. Sometimes deaths are also possible. It is also possible the transition of an acute infectious process into a chronic one (clinical recovery).
Video: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics
With the advent of antibiotics, bacterial infections are no longer life-threatening. If you seek medical help in time, you will be able to avoid severe.
There are two types of antibiotics:
- drugs with a bactericidal action - aimed at the complete destruction of microorganisms
- drugs with a bacteriostatic effect - aimed at stopping the growth and reproduction of bacteria
An infected person may be given antibiotics by mouth (tablet) or, in severe cases, by intramuscular or intravenous injection (injection).
Antibacterial drugs can often cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, while taking an antibiotic, they prescribe antihistamines. In case of severe allergies, the drug should be replaced. If the antibiotic gives a lot, then it is not suitable. The doctor may prescribe another.
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Together with antibacterial drugs, as a rule, prebiotics for the intestines are prescribed. Also drugs that strengthen the immune system, and vitamin complexes.
There is a certain danger that bacteria will get used to certain antibiotics. Then the medicine will stop working. Therefore, it is necessary not to interrupt the course of treatment ahead of time. If the antibiotic does not overcome the disease and there is no improvement, then it will need to be replaced with a stronger one.
Recovery after a bacterial disease can be of several types:
- complete - all pathogens are completely removed from the body
- laboratory - according to the results of laboratory studies, no pathogenic microorganisms were detected
- clinical - no symptoms of the disease were detected
If the treatment is carried out in a timely manner, then complete recovery occurs without the development of any dangerous complications.
Preventive measures
As a preventive measure, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system. If a person has a strong immune system, then many infectious diseases will not be dangerous for him. If the disease does develop, it will pass in a mild form and recovery will come quickly.
To strengthen the immune system, you need to walk more, eat right, and carry out hardening procedures. The food should include fruits and vegetables, which have a large amount of vitamins and other beneficial substances.
As hardening procedures, you can use a contrast shower, dousing cold water. You can regularly visit the steam room, swimming pool. Outdoors should be spent at least two hours a day. If this is not possible, then at least on weekends you should breathe air.
Perfectly strengthens the body physical education. You can do gymnastics in the morning or run. You should visit the gym at least three times a week.
Be sure to avoid contact with people who are already sick. If contact cannot be avoided, then a gauze bandage should be put on the face. It is necessary to wash your hands thoroughly after visiting the patient, it is better to use antibacterial soap for these purposes.
Vaccination is another important preventive measure. It is necessary to get vaccinated before traveling to exotic countries. Children are also required to be vaccinated.
Bacterial infections are diverse, so you should be attentive to your state of health, and at the first manifestations of the disease, immediately consult a doctor.
Oct 29, 2016 Violetta Doctor
Pathogenic bacteria are bacteria that can cause an infection. Most bacteria are harmless or even beneficial, but some are pathogenic. One bacterial disease with a high disease burden is tuberculosis, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which kills about 2 million people a year, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Pathogenic bacteria contribute to other globally significant diseases such as pneumonia, which can be caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus and Pseudomonas, and foodborne illnesses, which can be caused by bacteria such as Shigella, Campylobacter and Salmonella. Pathogenic bacteria also cause infections such as tetanus, typhoid fever, diphtheria, syphilis, and leprosy. Pathogenic bacteria are also responsible for high rates of infant mortality in developing countries. Koch's postulates are the standard that establishes the relationship between the causative microbe and disease.
Diseases
Each type of bacteria has a specific effect and causes symptoms in infected people. Some, or even most, of people infected with pathogenic bacteria do not have symptoms. People with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to pathogenic bacteria.
Pathogenic susceptibility
Some pathogenic bacteria cause disease under certain conditions, such as when they enter the skin through an incision, during sexual activity, or when immune function is weakened. The bacteria Streptococcus and Staphylococcus are part of the normal microflora of the skin and are usually present in healthy skin or in the nasopharyngeal region. However, these species have the potential to initiate skin infections. They can also cause sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. These infections can become quite serious and provoke a systemic inflammatory response, leading to severe vasodilation, shock, and death. Other bacteria are opportunistic pathogens and cause disease mainly in people suffering from immunosuppression or cystic fibrosis. Examples of these opportunistic pathogens include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cenocepacia and Mycobacterium avium.
Infections in a specific tissue
Bacterial pathogens often cause infections in certain areas of the body. Other pathogens are universal. Bacterial vaginosis is caused by bacteria that alter the vaginal flora, causing excessive fast growth bacteria that outcompete lactobacillus species that maintain a healthy vaginal microbial population. Other non-bacterial vaginal infections include: yeast infection (candidiasis) and trichomonas (trichomoniasis). Bacterial meningitis is a bacterial inflammation of the meninges, that is, the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Bacterial pneumonia is a bacterial infection of the lungs. infections urinary tract predominantly caused by bacteria. Symptoms include urgency and frequent urge to urinate, pain during urination, and cloudy urine. The main causative agent is Escherichia coli. Urine is usually sterile, but contains many salts and waste products. Bacteria can rise to bladder or kidneys, causes cystitis and nephritis. Bacterial gastroenteritis is caused by disease-causing intestinal bacteria. These pathogenic species tend to be distinct from the normally harmless bacteria of the normal intestinal flora. But other strains of the same species can be pathogenic. Distinguishing them is sometimes difficult, as in the case of Escherichia. Bacterial skin infections include:
Mechanisms
Nutrients
Iron is a substance necessary for humans and also for the growth of most bacteria. To obtain free iron, some pathogens secrete proteins called siderophores, which remove iron from transport proteins by binding even tighter to the iron. After the formation of the iron-siderophore complex, it is captured by siderophore receptors on the surface of bacteria, and then iron is introduced into the bacteria.
Direct Damage
Once pathogens attach to host cells, they can cause direct damage as pathogens use host cells to obtain nutrients and production of vital products. As the pathogens multiply and divide within the host cells, the cells usually break down and extracellular bacteria are released. Some bacteria, such as E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, can induce their uptake by host epithelial cells in a process resembling phagocytosis. Pathogens can then destroy the host cells as they pass through them and are expelled from the host cells in a process of reverse phagocytosis, allowing them to enter other host cells. Some bacteria can also enter host cells by secreting enzymes and by their own motility; such penetration itself can lead to damage to the host cell.
production of toxins
Toxins are poisonous substances that are produced by certain micro-organisms and are often the main contributor to the pathogenic properties of micro-organisms. Endotoxins are lipid regions of lipopolysaccharides that are part of the outer membrane of the cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria. Endotoxins are released when bacteria lyse, which is why after antibiotic treatment, symptoms may initially worsen as the bacteria die and release their endotoxins. Exotoxins are proteins produced within pathogenic bacteria as part of their growth and metabolism, most abundant in Gram-positive bacteria. Exotoxins are released when bacteria die and the cell wall breaks down. Exotoxins have a very specific effect on the tissues of the body and its work, destroying certain parts of the host cell or inhibiting certain metabolic functions. Exotoxins are among the most dangerous substances known. Only 1 mg of botulinum exotoxin is enough to kill one million guinea pigs. Diseases caused in this way are often caused by small amounts of exotoxins and not by the bacteria themselves.
Treatment
Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, which are classified as bactericidal if they kill bacteria or bacteriostatic if they only prevent bacteria from growing. There are many types of antibiotics, and each class inhibits a process whose pathogen is different from the pathogen in the host. For example, the antibiotics chloramphenicol and tetracycline inhibit the bacterial ribosome, but not the structurally different eukaryotic ribosome, so they have selective toxicity. Antibiotics are used both in the treatment of human diseases and in intensive care. agriculture to promote the growth of animals. Both applications can contribute to the rapid development of antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations. Phage therapy can also be used to treat certain bacterial infections. Infections can be prevented by antiseptic measures such as sterilizing the skin before using a syringe needle and proper care for catheters. Surgical and dental instruments are also sterilized to prevent bacterial contamination. Disinfectants, such as bleaches, are used to kill bacteria or other pathogens on surfaces to prevent contamination and further reduce the risk of infection. Bacteria in food are killed when food is cooked to temperatures above 73 °C (163 °F).
List of the most famous pathogenic bacteria
| 2015/03/16 20:30 | Natalia | |
| 2016/07/08 18:25 | ||
| 2014/11/26 10:17 | ||
| 2016/07/30 12:58 | ||
| 2015/06/19 12:07 | Natalia | |
| 2015/07/06 16:56 | Natalia | |
| 2016/05/29 13:48 | ||
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Today, thousands of bacteria are known - some are beneficial, while others are pathogenic and cause diseases. Many terrible diseases: Plague, anthrax, leprosy, cholera and tuberculosis are bacterial infections. Well, the most common are meningitis and pneumonia. It is important not to confuse bacterial infections with viral ones, to know the symptoms and treatment options.
What infections are called bacterial?
Bacterial infections are a huge group of diseases. One reason unites them - bacteria. They are the most ancient and numerous microorganisms.- Airways;
- intestines;
- blood;
- skin covering.
Bacterial infections respiratory tract often develop after a cold, as a complication. The immune system becomes weaker, and pathogenic bacteria that did not manifest themselves before begin to multiply. Respiratory bacterial infections can be caused by the following pathogens:
- staphylococci;
- pneumococci;
- streptococci;
- whooping cough;
- meningococci;
- mycobacteria;
- mycoplasmas.
To bacterial infectious diseases of the lower respiratory tract include bacterial bronchitis and.
Bacterial infections of the intestine often occur due to unwashed hands, the use of products with poor heat treatment, improper storage or expired shelf life. In most cases, the problem is caused by:
- shigella;
- staphylococci;
- cholera vibrios;
- typhoid bacillus;
- salmonellosis.
Intestinal bacterial infections more often manifested by the following diseases:
- salmonellosis;
- typhoid fever;
- dysentery.
In children most often there are viral infections, which are complicated by bacterial ones due to the weakening of the body during the period of illness. In most cases in childhood the following viral diseases are observed:
- measles;
- rubella;
- piggy;
- chicken pox.
Children who have been ill with such infections receive strong immunity and are no longer exposed to these diseases. But if during the period of illness the child had contact with harmful bacteria, then it is quite possible to develop complications in the form of bacterial pneumonia, otitis media, etc.
How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one
Bacterial and viral infections are often confused. They may have the same symptoms and even similar results in diagnostic tests.
It is imperative to differentiate these infections, since drugs for their treatment are completely different.
There are several signs by which you can determine whether a bacterial or viral infection is present in the body:
- duration. Symptoms viral infection usually subside quickly (in about 7-10 days), and a bacterial disease can last for more than a month.
- Slime color. If the disease is accompanied by sputum or nasal mucus, then you should pay attention to their color. The virus is usually accompanied by secretions of a transparent color and liquid consistency. For bacterial infections, the discharge is more characteristic of a dark greenish or yellow-green color. You should not completely rely on this sign.
- Temperature. Both types of infections are usually accompanied by fever, but in bacterial diseases, it is higher and is characterized by a gradual increase. With a virus, this indicator behaves the other way around - it gradually decreases.
- Ways of infection. Among bacterial infections, only some diseases are transmitted by contact, and for the virus this is the main route of spread.
- Development and localization. Bacterial infections tend to develop slowly, and the virus immediately manifests itself brightly. In the first case, the lesion is isolated, that is, the disease is localized in a certain area. A viral disease affects the entire body.
- Test results. One of the main indicators is the level of leukocytes and lymphocytes. Leukocytes increase with infection of any etiology, but neutrophils are elevated during bacterial infection(this is a special type of leukocytes). With a viral infection, leukocytes can be increased, but most often they are lowered (including neutrophils) (for example, with influenza, viral hepatitis, measles, rubella, mumps, typhoid fever, leukocytes are necessarily below normal), but here with a viral infection, an increase in the number of lymphocytes is necessarily traced, and an increase in monocytes may also be observed (at, for example), therefore, the result is evaluated general analysis blood complex. Another analysis is a bacteriological examination of a biological fluid (detachable eye, ear, sinuses, wounds or sputum, for example). This analysis will identify the causative agent of a bacterial infection.
Symptoms of bacterial infections
There are many possible bacterial infections. Each has its own characteristics, so the set of symptoms is different.The incubation period for bacterial infections has a wide range. Some pathogens actively multiply in a few hours, while others take several days.
Signs of a bacterial infection depend on which part of the body it has affected. Intestinal diseases in this case are manifested by the following symptoms:
- high temperature and fever;
- pain in the abdomen;
- vomiting;
- diarrhea.
Children's bacterial infections are characterized by a wider range of symptoms. The thing is that almost always a bacterial infection is a continuation of a viral one. For example, a child gets sick, but under certain conditions, he develops a bacterial infection, as a complication of the original disease, therefore clinical picture erased.
But still, the diseases are expressed by the following symptoms:
- high temperature (more than 39°C);
- nausea and vomiting;
- plaque on the tongue and tonsils;
- severe intoxication.
If, after improving well-being, a deterioration in the patient's condition is observed, then most often this indicates the development of complications of a bacterial nature after a viral illness.
Bacterial infections in the upper respiratory tract also often appear after the transferred virus, when immunity is reduced. Infection is expressed in the following symptoms:
- deterioration of well-being;
- pronounced lesion;
- purulent secretions;
- white coating in the throat.
A bacterial lesion in women affecting the genitourinary system has the following symptoms:
- vaginal discharge - the color and consistency depends on the causative agent of the infection;
- itching and burning;
- bad smell;
- painful urination;
- pain during intercourse.
- pathological discharge from the urethra;
- unpleasant odor of discharge;
- painful urination, itching, burning;
- discomfort during intercourse.
Diagnostics
For bacterial infections, specific investigations are needed. They are used to differentiate a bacterial lesion from a viral one, as well as to determine the pathogen. The course of treatment depends on the results of the tests.
Bacterial infections are diagnosed mainly through laboratory tests. The following methods are usually used:
- Blood test with leukocyte formula. In bacterial infection, see increased number neutrophils. When the number of stab neutrophils is increased, they speak of an acute infectious disease. But if metamyelocytes, myelocytes are found, then the patient's condition is characterized as dangerous, and requires emergency care physicians. With the help of such diagnostics, it is possible to identify the nature and stage of the disease.
- Analysis of urine. Shows whether the urinary system is affected by bacteria, and is also necessary to determine the severity of intoxication.
- Bacteriological examination with antibiogram. With the help of this analysis, it determines the type of causative agent of the infection, and by what means it can be killed (the so-called sensitivity of the pathogen to antibiotics is determined). These factors are important for prescribing the correct therapy.
- Serological study. Based on the detection of antibodies and antigens that interact in a specific way. For such studies, venous blood is taken. This method is effective when the pathogen cannot be isolated.
Laboratory research is the main direction in the diagnosis of bacterial infections. In some cases, additional examinations are required:
- X-ray. Performed to differentiate specific processes in individual organs.
- Instrumental diagnostics. Ultrasound or laparoscopy is more commonly used. These methods are needed to study internal organs for specific lesions.
The appointment of the correct treatment, its effectiveness and the risk of complications directly depend on the timeliness of diagnosis. You should consult a doctor at the first alarming symptoms - at the reception, the patient is always prescribed tests.
General approach to the treatment of bacterial infections
The treatment of bacterial infections is guided by general principles. This implies a certain therapy algorithm:- Eliminate the cause of the disease.
- Cleanse the body of toxins.
- Heal the organs affected by the infection.
- Reduce the severity of symptoms and alleviate the condition.
As for taking medications, broad-spectrum drugs include antibiotics of the penicillin group and cephalosporins of the 3rd generation. Read more about antibiotics prescribed for genitourinary infections - read), for intestinal -, but basically the treatment is carried out with the same drugs, just the dosage, duration and frequency of taking the medicine can be different.
There are a lot of antibiotics, each group of such drugs has its own mechanism of action and purpose. Self-medication, at best, will not bring an effect, and at worst, it will lead to neglect of the disease and a number of complications, so the doctor should prescribe treatment depending on the nature of the disease. The patient is only obliged to follow all the doctor's instructions and not to arbitrarily reduce the course of taking antibiotics and the prescribed dosage.
Let's summarize what has been said. There are a lot of bacterial infections, and the effectiveness of their treatment directly depends on the identification of the causative agent of the disease. Most people are carriers of certain bacteria, but only certain factors provoke the development of infection. This can be avoided with preventive measures.
Next article.
