Can you spread bacterial infection

People are one source of germs including:. People can be sick with symptoms of an infection or colonized with germs not have symptoms of an infection but able to pass the germs to others. Germs are also found in the healthcare environment. Examples of environmental sources of germs include:. A susceptible person is someone who is not vaccinated or otherwise immune, or a person with a weakened immune system who has a way for the germs to enter the body.

Devices like IV catheters and surgical incisions can provide an entryway, whereas a healthy immune system helps fight infection. When patients are sick and receive medical treatment in healthcare facilities, the following factors can increase their susceptibility to infection. Transmission refers to the way germs are moved to the susceptible person. There are a few general ways that germs travel in healthcare settings — through contact i.

Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Infection Control. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Strep throat, otherwise known as group A strep, is a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils. The bacteria that causes strep throat is called group A streptococcus. It is most common among school-aged children and teenagers between 5 and Lyme disease also known as Lyme borreliosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through tick bites.

It is a potentially multi-systemic condition that may lead to serious symptoms if left untreated. It is predominantly caused by four types of bacteria in the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group. SABSI is associated with complications such as prolonged hospital stays, admission to critical care services, increased healthcare costs and death.

With the global COVID pandemic having a severe impact on all aspects of society and the health of people worldwide, it is now more important than ever to update your knowledge on the spread and containment of infectious diseases, and what you can do to help break the chain of infection.

Gum disease occurs when the gum gingiva - the mucosal tissue surrounding and protecting the teeth - becomes infected and inflamed. Gum disease is usually caused by plaque, a sticky coating of bacteria that accumulates on the teeth along the gum line and causes irritation.

Knowing when antibiotics are needed, and when to consider hospital referral are important in appropriate management of skin infections. Read more on Australian Prescriber website. Healthdirect Australia is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.

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On this page What are bacterial infections? What are the symptoms of a bacterial infection? What causes bacterial infections? When should I see my doctor? What are the complications of bacterial infections?

For example, conditions like measles or chickenpox have very characteristic symptoms that can be diagnosed with a simple physical examination. An example is influenza , which causes seasonal epidemics in the cold months of every year. If your doctor wants to know what type of organism may be causing your condition, they may take a sample to culture. Samples that can be used for culture vary by the suspected condition, but they can include:. In the case of a bacterial infection, it can also help them determine which antibiotic may be helpful in treating your condition.

Antibiotics are medications used to treat bacterial infections. There are many types of antibiotics, but they all work to keep bacteria from effectively growing and dividing. Despite the fact that you should only take antibiotics for a bacterial infection, antibiotics are often requested for viral infections. This is dangerous because over-prescribing antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria adapt to be able to resist certain antibiotics. It can make many bacterial infections more difficult to treat. Skipping doses can prevent killing all of the pathogenic bacteria. Treatment is typically focused on relieving symptoms, while your body works to clear the infection. This can include things like:. Some examples include medications like oseltamivir Tamiflu for influenza or valacyclovir Valtrex for herpes simplex or herpes zoster shingles viral infections.

Be sure to wash your hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and before and after handling food. Many vaccines are available to help prevent various viral and bacterial illnesses. Examples of vaccine-preventable diseases include:.

If you must go out, wash your hands frequently and sneeze or cough into the crook of your elbow or into a tissue. Be sure to properly dispose of any used tissues.

Using condoms or other barrier methods can help prevent getting sexually transmitted diseases STDs. Limiting your number of sexual partners has also been shown to reduce your risk of getting an STD.

Make sure all meats are cooked to the proper temperature. Be sure to thoroughly wash any raw fruits or vegetables before eating. Bacteria and viruses cause many common infections, and these infections can be transmitted in many of the same ways. Sometimes your doctor can diagnose your condition by a simple physical examination.

Other times, they may need to take a sample to culture to determine if a bacterial or viral infection is causing your illness.