| name: | Bacterial Infection |
| also known as: | Bacteria Infection; Bacterial Infections |
| also see: | Bacteria 101; Virus Infection; Fungus Infection; Parasite Infection; ICD |
| description: | Bacteria are small unicellular organisms that have a cell membrane containing a nucleus with DNA. Bacteria, unlike their virus cousins, have the ability to replicate on their own without infecting a host cell. Bacteria may live off the host in order to derive the energy and nutrients but they can divide on their own. Most bacterial infections are diagnosed based on history and exam. Often, treatment is instituted empirically without obtaining a bacterial culture because the likely bacteria causing the infection can be deduced. Bacterial infections that have potential serious or grave ramifications, and those bacterial infections that have unusual presentations, should be cultured first, before antibiotics are given. This is for two main reasons: first, the choice of antibiotics can be tailored to the specific bacteria and second, a culture obtained after antibiotics have already been given is unreliable. Unlike virus infections in which there are few antiviral drugs available, antibiotics are usually prescribed to treat the bacteria infection directly. Additionally, the symptoms caused by the infection can also be treated. Treating the "infection" and treating the "symptoms" are two different things. Additionally, many bacterial infections can cause abscesses or collection of pus, and this might require surgical drainage referred to as I&D abscess. Some of the bacterial infections include staph infection, strep infection, strep throat, middle ear infection, some sinus infections although many supposed sinus infections are caused by viruses, gonorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease, many sexually transmitted diseases, bacterial pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, mycoplasma pneumonia, Legionnaire's disease, all forms of abscess, toxic shock syndrome, diphtheria, whooping cough, endocarditis, cholera, typhoid fever, E. coli food poisoning and salmonella dysentery. There are many others. |
| signs & symptoms: | Varies depending upon the viral illness. |
| diagnosis: | Based on signs, symptoms, history and exam. Many bacterial infections require a culture and gram stain in order to determine the causative organism. Additional diagnostic tests might be ordered such as a chest x-ray for suspected bacterial pneumonia or a spinal tap for suspected bacterial meningitis. |
| treatment: | Most bacterial infections are treated by the person's own immune system. However, often antibiotics are prescribed in order to shorten the course of the infection as well as prevent complications from the infection, such as strep throat leading to rheumatic fever. |
| prevention: | Hygiene and avoidance. There are a few bacterial vaccinations, such as the newer pneumococcal vaccination. |
| outcome: | Varies depending upon the infection. Most bacterial infections recover with the patients own immune system and often, with the application of antibiotics. |
Last updated 12/24/2002