Bacterial Infections: How They Spread, Treatment and Prevention

What bacteria are

Bacteria are tiny, single-celled organisms shaped like balls, rods or spirals, found almost everywhere on Earth. Many live in and on your body, and most don't make you sick:

• helpful bacteria in your gut help digest food, absorb vitamins and minerals, and protect you from illness;
• bacteria are used to make foods such as yogurt and cheese.

How some make you sick

Infectious bacteria multiply quickly in the body. Many release toxins that damage cells; others invade and damage tissues. Examples: Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and E. coli.

How infections spread

• droplets and particles breathed out by an infected person, which you breathe in or which land on your mouth, nose or eyes;
• touching contaminated surfaces and then your mouth, nose or eyes;
• cuts, scrapes and skin-to-skin contact;
• from a pregnant parent to the baby;
• contaminated food or water;
• bites from infected insects or animals;
• sexual contact.

Treatment

Sometimes the immune system fights off the infection on its own. When treatment is needed, it is with antibiotics — used carefully, because of antibiotic resistance.

Prevention

• Get vaccines that protect against bacterial infections.
• Wash your hands often, and cover coughs and sneezes.
• Practice food safety.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
• Prevent insect bites with an EPA-registered repellent outdoors; where insect-borne disease risk is high, also wear long pants, shirts and socks.
• Practice safe sex: a latex condom every time, or polyurethane if you or your partner is allergic to latex.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Sources

Based on "Bacterial Infections," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.