Different Diseases Caused by Bacteria - Types, Symptoms & Prevention
Bacteria are unicellular microorganisms, known as one of the earliest living beings on the earth. They can exist in any possible place in the environment, even inside your body.
Most bacteria that dwell in your body are usually harmless and beneficial. However, some (less than 1%) can invade your body from the outer environment and make you ill, leading to diseases caused by bacteria.
If you want to learn about such diseases and their symptoms, prevention and treatment, keep reading.
What Are the Types of Bacterial Diseases?
Below is a list of diseases caused by bacteria:
| Bacterial Diseases in Humans | Characteristics of Bacterial Diseases | Responsible Bacterium |
| Whooping Cough | It is a contagious infection in the respiratory system that causes severe cough and difficulty breathing. | Bordatella pertussis |
| Bubonic Plague | This contagious disease causes swollen lymph nodes in the neck, groin and armpit. | Yersinia pestis |
| Cholera | It falls under the examples of bacterial diseases that affect the intestine and cause diarrhoeal sickness. | Vibrio cholerae |
| Diphtheria | This infectious disease affects the mucous membranes of your throat and nose. | Corynebacterium diphtheriae |
| Pseudomonas Infection | This infection affects your lungs, blood, stomach, tendons and urinary tract. It also can spread over a wound or burn. | Pseudomonas aeruginosa |
| Leprosy | It happens due to slow bacterial growth and affects the eyes, skin, nasal cavity and peripheral nerve. | Mycobacterium leprae |
| Tetanus | It is an infection that causes painful stiffness and muscle shrinkage, mainly in the neck and jaw. | Clostridium tetani |
| Gonorrhoea | It is one of the diseases caused by bacteria that causes infertility. | Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
| Syphilis | This is a sexually transmitted disease that can initially cause soreness in your mouth, rectum and genital. However, the final stage can affect your heart, eyes, brain and nerve. | Treponema pallidum |
| Salmonellosis | This infection affects the intestine and causes diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fever. | Salmonella enteritis |
| Urinary Tract Infection | It affects any part of your lower urinary tract, such as the uterus, bladder and kidneys. | Coliform bacteria |
| Respiratory Tuberculosis | It is one of the bacterial diseases that primarily affects your lungs causing cough, bleeding, and chest pain. | Mycobacterium tuberculosis |
| Botulism | It is an infection that affects the muscles of your eyes, mouth, face, neck, throat, arms and legs. | Clostridium botulinum |
| Bacterial Pneumonia | It is an infection that affects your lungs directly and causes severe cough and sneeze. | Streptococcus pneumoniae |
What Are the Symptoms of Bacterial Diseases?
All the infections mentioned above have significant symptoms. However, some general signs of diseases caused by bacteria are as follows:
- Coughing
- Diarrhoea
- Fever, cold and sore throat
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Pain in urination
- Muscle pain and soreness
- Irritation and rashes
Who Is At Risk of Getting Affected by Bacteria?
The following conditions increase the risk of bacterial diseases in humans -
- Anyone under medication that subdues the immune system.
- If a person is suffering from any illness or recently had any surgery.
- Infants and older people who lack immunity or nourishment.
- If anyone comes in direct contact with an infected person.
- Anyone who is suffering from an immunodeficiency disorder.
- A person who is genetically prone to bacterial infections.
- If an infected animal scratches or bites you.
How to Diagnose Bacterial Diseases?
Usually, a doctor can name the disease caused by bacteria by analysing your symptoms thoroughly. However, sometimes your doctor may need confirmation through some tests. Below are some tests that your doctor may prescribe you.
- Blood tests
- Tests of fluid and mucus samples
- Urine or stool test
Other than this, your doctor may opt for an imaging study such as an X-ray, endoscopy, USG etc.
What Are the Treatment Methods for Diseases Caused by Bacteria?
Although often bacterial infections get cured on their own, you may need treatment once they become severe. Following are some generic cures to diseases caused by bacteria:
1. Antibiotics
Your doctor will prescribe you antibiotics according to the type of bacterial infection. Most antibiotics can fight several types of bacteria, but not all. You can take antibiotics through your mouth, the surface of your eyes and skin or your veins (intravenous therapy).
2. Supportive Medication
You may need some anti-inflammatory or pain killer medication. These drugs help you relax your pain and prevent the infection from spreading. In addition, your doctor may add medicine to control your fever and painful cough during the treatment.
3. Surgery
You may need a surgical procedure if you have a blister. The process can be simple in case of an abscess on your skin. However, the surgery can be complicated if the bump is deep-rooted in your body.
What Are the Preventive Measures to Control Diseases Caused by Bacteria?
Microbes are not easy to prevent completely from affecting animals or human beings. Nevertheless, following preventive measures can mitigate the risk of bacterial infections.
- Maintaining proper hygiene and washing hands frequently reduces the risk of bacterial infection.
- Keep your face and mouth covered to prevent the spread of bacterial diseases that are communicable.
- You must not share your foods, drinks, hair comb, toothbrush, razor, needles, food container etc.
- Getting your vaccine on time helps mitigate the risk factor of infections due to bacteria.
- Stay away from public places or gatherings when you are ill.
- Having protected carnal intercourse is crucial to prevent spreading bacterial infection.
- You can prevent bacterial infections by eating freshly made and hygienic food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which place in the human body has most of the bacteria?
Most of the bacteria (almost a billion) in the body live in the human gut.
Is Diphtheria a bacterial disease?
Yes, Diphtheria is a bacterial disease caused by a type of bacteria named Corynebacterium diphtheria.