10 DISEASES CAUSED BY BACTERIA - MEDICINE - 2025

Among the diseases caused by bacteria are meningitis, gastritis, sexually transmitted diseases, skin infections, boils, among others. All of these diseases are known as bacterial diseases.

Bacteria are small forms of life that can only be seen with the help of a microscope. Contrary to what many people believe, bacteria are necessary for life on the planet, since many of the fundamental functions of ecosystems take place thanks to bacteria.

Bacteria

Bacteria are of vital importance to humans, for both good and bad. The vast majority of them do not cause disease and many bacteria are really useful and even necessary for good health.

When bacteria have a detrimental effect on the human body, they often cause diseases and infections. The bacteria responsible for these types of conditions are known as pathogens.

Bacterial diseases start when pathogenic bacteria enter the body, reproduce, kill healthy bacteria, or grow in tissues that are normally sterile. On the other hand, pathogenic bacteria can also emit toxins that harm the body.

Some common pathogenic bacteria and the types of diseases they cause are:

- Helicobacter pylori: produces ulcers and gastritis.

- Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E coli): they produce food poisoning.

- Neisseria meningitidis: generates meningitis.

- Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus: it produces the sexually transmitted disease known as gonorrhea.

- Staphylococcus aureus: causes a variety of infections in the body, including boils, abscesses, wound infections, pneumonia and food poisoning.

- Streptococcal bacteria: They also cause various infections, including pneumonia and ear and throat infections.

Common illnesses caused by bacteria

It is important to note that bacterial diseases are contagious and can lead to many serious, life-threatening complications.

Below, several diseases caused by bacteria are detailed, emphasizing the type of bacteria involved in each disease, its mode of transmission, symptoms, treatment and preventive measures.

1 - Leprosy or Hansen's disease

It is a curable disease with prompt treatment. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae that especially affects the skin and peripheral nerves.

It is spread from person to person by direct and prolonged contact, according to statistics 80% of the population has their own defenses against leprosy and only half of untreated patients cause contagion.

The symptoms of leprosy can take up to 20 years to manifest and are: skin lesions, lesions that do not heal after some time and muscle weakness with altered sensation in the extremities.

The best way to avoid the spread of leprosy is early diagnosis and treatment of the infected person. Treatment is outpatient, includes the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

There is a vaccine for people who have direct contact with the sick.

2 - Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, tissues that line the brain and spinal cord, and can be viral or bacterial in origin.

Bacterial meningitis is caused by the Neisseria bacteria, it is very serious and needs immediate treatment, since it can affect the neuronal functioning of those who suffer it. It is a contagious disease.

Meningitis causes a high fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck muscles, changes in mental status, and a severe headache.

In case the presence of a meningitis caused by bacteria is identified, specific antibiotics are prescribed. In some cases, the person may need to be hospitalized, depending on the severity of the illness.

The fundamental preventive measure is to give babies and children vaccines, following a vaccination schedule.

3 - Tuberculosis

It is a bacterial infection caused by the germ Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria attack the lungs, but it can also damage other parts of the body. It is spread through the air when a person with pulmonary tuberculosis coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Symptoms of the disease may include: severe cough lasting three weeks or longer, fevers, weight loss, weakness or fatigue, and spitting up blood.

If not treated properly, it can be fatal. It is usually cured with several medications over a long period of time and there is a vaccine for its prevention.

4 - Cholera

Infectious disease caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacteria that multiplies in the intestine, causing vomiting and diarrhea with the consequent loss of water and mineral salts that can cause dehydration and risk of death.

This disease is acquired through contaminated food and water. It is not a contagious disease.

It is estimated that 1 in 20 infected people can develop the disease seriously.

Cholera is totally curable if lost fluids and salts are replaced promptly. Severe cases require intravenous fluid replacement. Antibiotics help to shorten the course of the disease and the severity of it.

5 - Pneumonia

It is a serious lung infection that can be viral or bacterial in origin. Bacterial pneumonia is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae and is one of the most common respiratory diseases.

It is acquired mainly by the spread to the lungs of bacteria that lodge in the nose, paranasal sinuses or mouth.

Symptoms of pneumonia can be: shortness of breath, chills, fever and sweating, chest pain, and cough (dry or phlegmy).

Rest, antibiotics, and medications to relieve symptoms are recommended for treatment. If necessary, it may require hospitalization.

Prevention measures are basically maintaining excellent hygiene and vaccination.

6 - Whooping cough or whooping cough

It is a serious infection caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. It develops in the upper respiratory tract, it can affect people of any age but mainly children.

The disease is easily spread from one person to another when an infected person sneezes or coughs.

Its symptoms resemble those of a common cold, followed by a strong cough. Coughing spells can lead to vomiting or a brief loss of consciousness. You should always think about the risk of whooping cough when vomiting with a cough occurs.

It is treated with cough suppressants and antibiotics. The vaccine against pertussis is given in babies and children, it is called DTP (for its acronym in English), it is a combined vaccine that helps protect against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.

7 - Diphtheria

It is an infection caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Symptoms often come on gradually, beginning with a sore throat, fever, weakness, and swollen glands in the neck. Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection.

Spread through the air, it can be contracted from the cough or sneeze of an infected person. It can also be spread by coming into contact with an object, such as a toy, contaminated with the bacteria. Treatment is with antibiotics.

The DPT vaccine can also prevent diphtheria, but its protection does not last forever. Children need other doses or boosters around the age of 12.

8 - Tetanus

It is a disease caused by a toxin generated by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which is present in the soil.

It is not transmitted from person to person, however, it can be spread through deep skin wounds or burns in any non-immunized person.

The affected person experiences spasms of the jaw muscles, headache, muscle tension, aches and pains that radiate to other parts of the body.

It is treated with antibiotics and sedatives to control spasms. Immunization and vaccination schedules are required as a preventive measure.

9 - Botulism

It is a rare but serious crippling disease caused by a toxin produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum.

This toxin is naturally found in the soil. It enters the body through wounds that become infected with it, or by ingesting it in poorly canned or poorly preserved food, contaminated with the toxin.

Symptoms include blurred and double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking and swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. Specific treatment is the administration of botulinum antitoxin, intensive therapy or surgery of the infected wounds.

To avoid botulism: do not give honey or corn syrup to children under 1 year old, discard cans that have bulges or canned food with a bad smell, seek prompt medical help for infected wounds.

As it is a rare disease, there are no vaccination plans for the general population, but the pentavalent vaccine is administered to people exposed to infection.

10 - Leptospirosis

It is an infection that occurs when you come into contact with the leptospira bacteria. It is not spread from person to person except through contact with infected animals, especially rats, or in fresh water contaminated by their urine.

Symptoms can take an average of 10 days to appear and range from a dry cough, headache and muscle aches, fevers, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, to muscle stiffness with swollen lymph nodes and an enlarged spleen or liver.

The prognosis is generally good. However, a complicated case can be fatal if it is not treated in time.

To prevent it, rats and mice must be eliminated in the environment, drains must be maintained to avoid water stagnation, especially in tropical climates.

There is a vaccine against the disease that, although it has limited scope, is recommended especially for those who perform risky tasks.

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