Bacterial infection: symptoms, causes and treatment

Bacterial infection is a health problem caused by bacteria. Bacteria themselves are germs that are actually important in our lives. Only a handful of types of bacteria can cause infections and disease. More clearly, consider the explanation below.

Definition of bacterial infection

As is well known, bacterial infection occurs when germs called bacteria enter the body and interfere with your health. However, before knowing more about bacterial infections, you need to know what bacteria are.

Bacteria are complex, ubiquitous single cells. These germs can survive on their own, inside or outside the body. Its existence plays an important role in protecting the environment in which we live.

In fact, we have a lot of bacteria in our body, especially in our intestines to help digest food. However, there are some bacteria that can cause infection.

Handling and treatment of bacterial infections is certainly different from viral infections. In fact, the treatment is called easier because drugs to fight bacteria are more widely available. However, conditions of antibiotic resistance or resistance can hinder this convenience.

What causes bacterial infection?

Bacterial infection occurs when bacteria enter the body, multiply, and cause a reaction in the body. Bacteria can enter the body through openings in our body, including the nose, mouth, ears, anus, and genital tract.

Several diseases are caused by bacterial infections, including:

• Tetanus, is caused by bacteria Clostridium tetani
• Typhus, caused by bacteria Salmonella typhi
• Meningitis, caused by bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, or Listeria monocytogenes
• Leptospirosis, caused by bacteria Leptospira
• Brucellosis, caused by bacteria Brucella
• Anthrax, caused by bacteria Bacillus anthracis
• Tuberculosis, caused by bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• PES disease, caused by bacteria Yersinia pestis
• Diphtheria, caused by bacteria Corynebacterium

How are bacterial infections transmitted?

Transmission of a bacterial infection occurs when bacteria pass from one person to another. Such transfers can occur directly, indirectly, or through intermediaries. Here's the explanation.

1. Transmission by touch

Bacterial infections can be passed from one person to another through touch. This means that when you touch the hands of an infected person or touch items that have been contaminated, you can catch it. Bacteria that can spread in this way, for example, are bacteria that cause typhus, Salmonella typhi.

2.Splash transmission (droplet)

The splash when a person coughs or sneezes can create droplets that carry germs over a short distance, which is about 2 meters. The germs or bacteria can then get on the eyes, nose or mouth of a susceptible person, causing an infection. Examples of bacterial diseases transmitted by sprinkling (droplet) is meningitis.

3. Airborne transmission

This transmission occurs when bacteria are present in tiny particles that persist in air currents over long distances, reaching vulnerable people. Airborne transmission can occur when an infected patient coughs, talks, or sneezes, thereby "throwing" bacteria into the air. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread in this way.

4. Transmission through injury

Quoted from the United States center for disease control and prevention, CDC, sharp object injuries can cause this condition when bacteria infect the blood through injection wounds or sharp objects. Examples of bacteria that can spread this way are Streptococcus and the bacteria that cause tuberculosis.

5. Transmission through insects

Bacterial infections can be spread by mosquitoes or fleas that take the blood of an infected person and transfer it to other people. One example of bacteria transmitted in this way is Rickettsia typhi, causes of typhoid.

6. Transmission through other intermediaries

Bacterial infections can also be passed from one person to another through food or water. This happens when you eat food that is contaminated with bacteria. The food will then enter the intestine and cause you to experience a disturbance in the digestive tract.

What are the symptoms of a bacterial infection?

Symptoms of a bacterial infection depend on which part of the body is affected. However, generally, infection due to this germ causes signs and symptoms in the form of:

• Fever
• Feeling tired
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, groin, or other place
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience the following signs and symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent cough or cough with pus
• The skin is red and swollen suddenly
• Constant vomiting
• Urinating, vomiting, or bloody stools
• Stomach pain or severe headache
• Wounds or burns that are red or pus in color

How to diagnose this condition?

First of all, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms through an interview and a physical exam. The doctor will then ask you to go through a series of tests, such as:

1. Laboratory tests

Laboratory tests that your doctor may ask to diagnose a bacterial infection are:

• Blood test
  In this procedure, a health worker will take a blood sample by inserting a needle into a vein, usually in the arm.
• Gram stain test
  Usually, when the doctor suspects an infection, you are asked to do a Gram stain test. In this procedure, the health worker will take a sample of fluid from the affected part of the body, such as the nostrils, throat, rectum, wound, or cervix.
• Urine test
  In a urine test procedure, bacteria are detected by a urine sample. You will be asked to urinate into a small container. The urine sample will then be examined in the laboratory.
• Tap the spine (puncture tumbal)
  This procedure is done by taking a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (clear fluid in the brain and spinal cord). The sample is taken through a needle inserted between the lower spine.

2. Imaging tests

Imaging procedures, such as x-rays, tomography, or MRI may be needed to make a diagnosis and rule out other conditions that may be causing the symptoms of this infection.

3. Biopsy

During a biopsy procedure, a small sample of tissue is taken from your organs for testing. This tissue is used to find the cause of the bacterial infection you are experiencing.

How to deal with bacterial infections?

Bacterial infections are generally treated with antibiotics. These drugs work by killing bacteria or making it harder for bacteria to grow and multiply.

Antibiotics can be consumed in several ways, such as:

• Oral (from the mouth). These antibiotics come in pill, capsule, or liquid form.
• Topical. These antibiotics may come in the form of creams, sprays, or ointments that are applied to your skin. It can also be eye or ear drops.
• Injection or intravenous (IV). This is usually for treating more serious infections.

However, you may not need to take antibiotics if you have certain bacterial infections. For example, you may not need antibiotics for many sinus infections or some ear infections.

Taking antibiotics when you don't need them will not make your recovery faster. In fact, this will have the potential to cause side effects. That is why, make sure you discuss with your doctor before taking antibiotics. The doctor will give antibiotics according to the bacteria causing the infection.

It is important to take the doctor's orders to treat this condition, as untreated infections can cause serious problems. For example, untreated infected wounds can lead to cellulitis and sepsis which can be life-threatening.

How to prevent bacterial infection?

This disease can be very contagious from one person to another. Therefore, you need to be careful and prevent bacterial infection by:

• Maintain a distance of up to 2 meters from people who are sick. Bacteria can be spread from a distance of about two meters by coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid doing activities together with infected people, especially being close together, such as hugging, kissing, or being in the same room.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use them hand sanitizer alcohol based.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze to prevent other people from catching it.
• Do not borrow and share personal items, such as straws or toothbrushes, with other people.
• Practice safe sex with a partner, use a condom, and don't change sexual partners.
• Get vaccinated to avoid diseases caused by bacterial infections.

Always consult your condition with your doctor to get the best solution. This condition can be overcome properly with proper handling.