Bacterial Diseases: Treatments

How are bacterial diseases treated?

Bacterial diseases are treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics work by killing the harmful bacteria or by stopping them from reproducing and spreading. Different types of antibiotics are effective for treating specific types of bacteria. Antibiotics may be given orally, intravenously, or by intramuscular injection, depending on the type and severity of bacterial disease and other factors.

General types of antibiotics include:

• Aminoglycosides

• Cephalosporins

• Macrolides

• Quinolones

• Penicillins

• Tetracyclines

Treatment of bacterial infections also includes:

• Good nutrition

• Hospitalization and intensive care in some cases, especially if complications occur

• Increased fluids

• Rest

People who have had close contact with a person with a serious bacterial disease, such as bacterial meningitis, may also need to be treated and monitored for the disease, even in the absence of symptoms.

Sometimes an antibiotic that used to work in treating a bacterial disease stops being effective. This is called antibiotic resistance. This makes a bacterial disease more difficult to treat and can result in serious complications, such as sepsis, coma and death.

What are the possible complications of bacterial diseases?

In some people, bacterial diseases can lead to serious, even life-threatening complications. Therefore, it is important to visit your health care provider when you experience symptoms of a bacterial infection. Once the underlying infection has been determined, following the treatment plan outlined by your doctor can help reduce any potential complications including:

• Coma

• Kidney failure

• Septicemia, which is a life-threatening blood infection that can lead to a body-wide response called sepsis

• Severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance

• Shock

• Toxic shock syndrome