For example, an untreated infected cut can cause cellulitis, a spreading skin infection. Untreated bacterial infections can sometimes lead to serious, life-threatening conditions. Septicaemia is a serious blood infection. It is when bacteria enter the bloodstream and cause blood poisoning.
Sepsis is when your body has an unusually severe response to an infection. It's sometimes called septicemia. During sepsis, your immune system, which defends you from germs, releases a lot of chemicals into your blood. This triggers widespread inflammation that can lead to organ damage.
There are many bacterial infections that aren't usually serious or can be treated easily with antibiotics. Impetigo and boils are examples. However, any bacterial infection that gets deep into your body, like in your blood, heart, lungs or brain, can be life-threatening.
The flu, measles, HIV, strep throat, COVID-19 and salmonella are all examples of infectious diseases.
"Big Three" Infectious Diseases: Tuberculosis, Malaria and HIV/AIDS.
When a susceptible host acquires a pathogen, the infection typically progresses through four main stages: incubation, prodromal stage, illness, and convalescence. These stages are of varying duration, depending on the type of pathogen.
Untreated bacterial infections can sometimes lead to serious, life-threatening conditions. Septicaemia is a serious blood infection. It is when bacteria enter the bloodstream and cause blood poisoning. Sepsis is a condition that happens when the body damages its own tissues in response to a bad infection.
Signs and symptoms of an infection
feeling generally unwell – not able to get out of bed. flu-like symptoms – feeling cold and shivery, headaches, and aching muscles. coughing up green phlegm. a sore throat or sore mouth.
Sometimes however, you may have an infection and not know it, and not have any symptoms. Keep this in mind especially if you have recently had surgery or an invasive medical procedure, a break in your skin, or you have been exposed to someone who is ill.
MRSA is one of the most common antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Symptoms of MRSA infection often begin as small red bumps on the skin that can progress to deep, painful abscesses or boils, which are pus-filled masses under the skin. These need to be surgically opened and drained.
Sepsis is the body's extreme response to an infection. It is a life-threatening medical emergency. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Infections that lead to sepsis most often start in the lung, urinary tract, skin, or gastrointestinal tract.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis. difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast.
Practice Essentials. Hospital-acquired infections are caused by viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens; the most common types are bloodstream infection (BSI), pneumonia (eg, ventilator-associated pneumonia [VAP]), urinary tract infection (UTI), and surgical site infection (SSI).
Viruses are germs different from bacteria. They cause infections, such as colds and flu. However, antibiotics do not treat infections caused by viruses.
Tuberculosis (or TB) has been responsible for the death of more people than any other infectious disease in history; over a billion deaths in the past 200 years. Its origin is unclear, but it infects a number of other species, including cattle.
Serious infections can cause extreme discomfort and severe health complications. In some cases, these infections can lead to permanent damage or death if they are not treated.
You can become exposed to bacteria from contact with an infected person, touching surfaces with bacteria on it, contaminated food or water, and sex. Common transmission modes of bacterial infections include: Airborne: Bacterial diseases like tuberculosis are spread through microscopic airborne respiratory droplets.
The most deadly bacterial disease contracted by human beings is mycobacterium tuberculosis, the world's leading infectious disease with more than 1,700,000 deaths per year. As much as 13% of cases are resistant to most antibiotics, and about 6% are resistant or unresponsive to essentially all treatment.
Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
More commonly known as MRSA (which stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), this 'superbug' is very easily spread through human contact and can cause a range of illnesses from skin disorders to deadly diseases like meningitis and pneumonia.
Infections generally involve incubation, prodromal, illness, decline, and convalescent stages.
Following the prodromal period is the period of illness, during which the signs and symptoms of disease are most obvious, specific and severe.
Infections are common. From ear infections and the flu to COVID-19, chances are we all have had at least one at some point. Viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections can all trigger sepsis.