Bacteria are living things that have only one cell. Under a microscope, they look like balls, rods, or spirals. They are so small that a line of 1,000 could fit across a pencil eraser. Most bacteria won't hurt you - less than 1 percent of the different types make people sick. Many are helpful. Some bacteria help to digest food, destroy disease-causing cells, and give the body needed vitamins. Bacteria are also used in making healthy foods like yogurt and cheese. To cause disease, pathogenic bacteria must gain access into the body. The range of access routes for bacteria includes: Cuts Contaminated food or water Close contact with an infected person Contact with the faeces of an infected person. Breathing in the exhaled droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes Indirectly, by touching contaminated surfaces – such as taps, toilet handles, toys and nappie Streptococcus Pyogenes Types of Harmful Bacteria Bacteria Type Description Streptococcus Pyogenes Streptococcus Pyogenes is the causative agent of mild sore throat and skin infections that may worsen in certain situations to lead to life threatening infections like toxic shock syndrome and septicemia (when bacteria gain access to the blood stream). It is classified as gram positive coccus that grows mainly in chains. Escherichia Coli E- Coli is a gram negative bacillis as discussed previously and is considered as a causative agent of traveler’s diarrhea; however some pathogenic strains can also lead to bloody diarrhea and circulatory shock. Vibrio Cholerae Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent of cholera and is associated with intake of improperly cooked food or poor sanitary conditions. Vibrio Cholerae is linked to hundreds and thousands of deaths worldwide (mostly in under- developed countries) due to cholera outbreak. Enteritis Salmonella The most common causative agent of food poisoning throughout the world is Enteritis salmonella and can lead to serious and life threatening food poisoning, diarrhea, circulatory shock and dehydration in children. Infection can be controlled by timely intake of proper antibiotics and circulatory support. Salmonella Typhi Salmonella Typhi is a gram negative organism that is the causative agent of typhoid fever. It is associated with a high mortality rate after initial infection and characterized by blood diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, fever and may lead to death if proper treatment is not instituted at the right time. Anti-biotic are the drugs that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or their ability to reproduce. It destroys or inhibits the growth of other microorganisms and is used in the treatment of external or internal infections. While some antibiotics are produced by microorganisms, most are now manufactured synthetically.
Topics
