Bacterial Infections

Bacterial Infections questions and answers

Learn About Treating Bacterial Infections.

Q: Bacterial infections?
Describe briefly the way in which the body successfully overcomes bacterial infections. Suggest why the body is unable to overcome bacterial infections such as gonorrhea and syphilis on its own.

A: Treponema pallidum - the bacterium that causes syphilis - and Neisseria gonorrhoeae - the bacteria that causes gonorrhea - are somewhat unique in the bacterial world. T. pallidum can not be killed by the body's immune system because it has too few surface antigens. Basically, the immune system is tricked and doesn't even realize it is there. N. gonorrhoeae is an intracellular parasitic bacteria -- meaning it enters a cell in the body and hides out using the host's own cellular antigens as cover. In order to mount a successful immune response to any bacterial infection, the body must first recognize that the bacterium is there. Once recognized as 'non-self', the bacterium will be exposed to a plethora of immune response ranging from macrophages, to antibodies to T cells.

Q: bacterial infections?
Can having re-occuring bacterial infections prevent you from getting pregnant? in the vagina

A: Yes. Recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease can cause infertility.

Q: Bacterial Infections.?
Okay. I have been getting bacterial infections. I do everything the doctor says to prevent them & I do everything I read online. But I keep getting them. It is so annoying. After I get off the antibiotics a few weeks later I get another one. Any suggestions on what to do? The doctor told us he didnt have it.

A: yes, here's one or two to do: take some Oil of Oregano with water or juice take some Olive Leaf Extract (tincture or herb)

Q: I keep getting bacterial infections and keep going back to the doctor for medicine. Any suggestions?
I have recurring bacterial infections. I feel like the medicine I am being given to treat the infection is not strong enough and doesn't completely fight off the bacterial. Has anyone been in this situation before and does anyone know anything that can be done?

A: Well, generally I can say that if the treatment and diagnosis is right there should be no problem. Do you take antibiotics on right dosages and frequency? If antibacterials are suddenly stopped or minimized, drug resistance may occur thereby decreasing it's effectiveness. If that should happen, a "stronger" type of antibiotic is given OR a combination of drugs to increase potency.

Q: How to Bacterial intoxications differ from Bacterial infections of the digestive system?
Bacterial intoxications differ from bacterial infections of the digestive system in that intoxications : a. are accompanied by fever b. are more severe c. are transmitted via water d. are treated with antibiotics e. have a shorter incubation time

A: E. The toxin acts immediately.

Q: What can be some possible causes for reoccurring bacterial infections?
I have had reoccurring bacterial infections for years now. Just recently my monthly period went away, and my vaginal area was hurting/irritatable. Now I have this discharge, with a slight order and I know that is a sign of some type of bacterial/yeast infection. It seems to come back like 3-4 months after I get the anitbotics. Does anyone have the answer?

A: You have an imbalance somewhere. After the antibiotics are over, you need to take probiotics (acidophilus). Health food stores have them. This puts back the friendly bacteria in your body. Cut out the sugary food in your diet, it can spur the growth of yeast infections, they love sugar. You might want to drink natural cranberry juice as well. Good luck.

Q: How would you explain the importance of avoiding bacterial infections to a person with leukemia?
How would you explain to a patient with leukemia, who has a greatly elevated white blood count, the importance of avoiding bacterial infections?

A: I agree with the others that they should have a low white blood cell count. However, I would tell them its a matter of life or death, literally. During my leukemia treatment I got an infection while I was neutropenic. I went in to septic shock, was on life support for about two and a half weeks and very nearly almost died.

Q: why are bacterial infections in the bone difficult to treat with antibiotics?
Hip replacement surgeries as well as other bone replacement or bone pinning operations are notorious as a source of bacterial infections that are intractable to antibiotic treatment. In two or three sentences, speculate on why this is the case.

A: Think about it, and you'll have your answer. How is an antibiotic going to reach the site of an infection? Through the blood. What kind of blood supply is there to a bone, such as the femoral head (a common site of hip relacement surgeries). What if the single blood supply is interrupted because of a clean break through the femoral head? In a case like that, very little blood is reaching the area, and tissue death can result (avascular necrosis) and nothing can help tissue once it has died. An extreme example, but in each case it would be all about adequate blood supply to the area of a bone infection, or the lack thereof. Best wishes.

Q: Germs can penetrate the eyes, but bacterial infections in the eye are relatively rare. Why is this?
Germs can penetrate the eyes, but bacterial infections in the eye are relatively rare. Why is this? Blinking crushes bacteria that try to enter the eye. Eyelashes act as shields preventing germs from entering the eye. Tears, which constantly wash over the eye, contain an anti-bacterial enzyme. The number of bacteria that can actually infect the eye is quite small.

A: Blinking does not crush bacteria. Bacteria are too small and can slip into the eye even when it's closed. Eyelashes might shield larger debris from entering the eye but not bacteria. Again... they're too small, and eye infections are usually spread by the fingers anyway. Tears are probably the best bet to why eye infections are rare. I'm not sure about the anti-bacterial enzyme although I don't doubt this concept, but salinity and the fact that they're constantly flushing and draining the eye's surface probably has something to do with it also. I'm sure there are a plethora of bacteria that can infect the eye. Our bodies are just built to defend themselves against them since we evolved with these bacteria.

Q: Can doxycycline treat bacterial infections of the eye?
Is doxycycline systemic? Can it treat infections anywhere in the body, including the eyes if one had bacterial conjunctivitis?

A: Question #1: Ciprofloxacin & trimethoprim-polymyxin are often used. For inclusion conjunctivitis, oral azithromycin, doxycycline or erythromycin are used. Gonococcal conjunctivitis may be treated with an injection of ceftriaxone. And adenoviral onjunctivitis is treated in a another way. Question #2: Doxy is systemic if taken orally. Naturally, topical doxy is not. Question #3: Although doxy is a broad-spectrum antibiotic in the tetracycline family, the trend now is toward targeted therapy using narrow-spectrum antibiotics. If you have doxy lying around, discard it. There are more kinds of conjunctivitis than bacterial, so one would need to be diagnosed first. Only bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with an antibiotic.

Q: Does using the birth control IUD Mirena give you a lot of bacterial infections?
I have Minera. I love it. Convience, not having to think about it and not having a period is great. However, I have been getting a lot of bacterial infections and I want to have it taken out because I think it is causing them. My PCP doesn't really give me an answer just tells me to read about the side effects.

A: They have since found its the string used on IUD birth controls that harbor infections. If yours is a recent IUD then that shouldn't be the issue, they have since corrected it in the last 5 years. If you are having unprotected sex that could be it, partners can pass the same infection back and forth and not know it. Have your doctor do a culture test and see what can be done. If it is an infection that can be treated with antibiotics then have your partner take the same medication as well. Also before intercourse have your partner clean their genitals before and after to prevent passing it back to you and you to them. It's more common than people realize really.

Q: What causes vaginal bacterial infections?
What causes vaginal bacterial infections? How do you get it? I am married and my husband is very clean so nothing to worry about there. My personal hygeine is just fine. I also have had absolutely no symptoms. I only even know because I went to the OBGYN for something completely unrelated.

A: They just happen. Some people get them more than others and some never get them. It is called bacterial vaginosis if you want to look it up on the web.

Q: why are antibacterial agents that target the cell wall so effective in treating bacterial infections?
I need help with these two questions please!! 1.) why are antibacterial agents that target the cell wall so effective in treating bacterial infections? 2.) How do some bacteria resist the activity of cell wall-active antibiotics?

A: The cell wall of bacteria is an essential component of prokaryotic life. It has multiple functions, like protecting the cell from harsh outside environments. Antimicrobial agents that disrupt the cell wall are effective in treating bacterial infections, because they leave the cell open to external hazards. Also, once the cell wall is disrupted, bacterial cells can no longer withstand osmotic pressure and will burst. Penicillin, for instance, acts by inhibiting peptidoglycan cross-links in the cell wall. The cell wall becomes weak, and no longer protects the bacteria from osmotic pressure; the cell then explodes. Bacteria can, and have, come to resist the activity of cell wall-active antibiotics by producing their own "anti-antibiotics". Penicillin, for example, contains a chemical structure called a beta-lactam ring. Some bacteria produce an enzyme called beta-lactamase, which destroys the beta-lactam ring. This renders penicillin useless.

Q: Why do i keep getting recurrent bacterial infections?
I keep getting bacterial infections, and as soon as i start meds, it goes away, i finish all of the meds as directed, and as soon as im done, i get a yeast infection, and then my initial bacterial infection comes right back. im so sick of going to the dr. for this. i have tried metrogel, cleocin, and flagyl. i dont douche, no multiple sex partners, i wear cotton panties, do i just have to regulate my ph? what else could this be? or what else can i do?

A: Yo jess, "meds as directed" are mostly prescribed, moron.

Q: CHEESE - being so addicted to to cheese, can it cause more bacterial infections within the body?
I can't get enough of cheese products in my daily diet. I have had so many bouts with bacterial infections within this year alone. Can this be a contributing factor? Are there other suplements to omit cheese in my diet without feeling the need of CHEESE? Please help.

A: no , no connection !i like cheese , but mostly i like milk, cheese is high in calories and fat, its constipating , and causes gas and bloating!!so maybe just try slowing down on it a little , you don't have to omit it all together.the infections you are getting or have had , is common , right now for some reason,its like an epidemic going around and it Will pass, just because you don't have it right now doesn't mean that the other half of the world is not suffering from some kind of infection.so good luck , and don't worry.