You should test for STI if you experience these symptoms
What Are The Symptoms Of A Bacterial Infection?
The symptoms of a bacterial infection will often depend on the location of the infection in the body. However, some common general symptoms include fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
Certain disease-causing bacteria can sometimes enter the body. Once inside, they may multiply and cause an infection that can result in a number of symptoms.
This article will outline some of the signs and symptoms of bacterial infections according to where they occur in the body. It will also provide information on treating and preventing bacterial infections and offer advice on when to see a doctor.
The signs and symptoms of a bacterial infection typically depend on where in the body the infection occurs.
However, some of the most common general signs and symptoms of infection include:
Bacterial infections can develop anywhere in the body, but they often occur near sites where bacteria can enter the body.
The sections below will outline some of the most common signs and symptoms associated with bacterial infections in different parts of the body.
Gastrointestinal infectionsAlthough different species of bacteria cause slightly different symptoms, most tend to cause several of the following:
The upper respiratory tract includes the nasal passages and the sinuses. The sinuses are a network of hollow cavities inside the skull.
Sometimes, the sinuses can become infected with bacteria or viruses. The medical term for infection and inflammation of the sinuses is sinusitis.
Common signs and symptoms of sinusitis include:
Lower respiratory tract infectionsThe lower respiratory tract consists of the following body parts:
One of the most common bacterial lung infections is bacterial pneumonia. Some potential signs and symptoms of pneumonia include:
Bacterial infections can occur in the inner, middle, or outer part of the ear.
The symptoms of an ear infection usually come on very quickly and may include:
The bacteria group A Streptococcus can cause a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils. Another term for this condition is strep throat.
The most common symptoms of strep throat include:
Strep throat is much more common in children and adolescents. In the United States, as many as 3 in 10 children who experience a sore throat have strep throat.
Vaginal infectionsBacterial vaginosis (BV) is a bacterial infection of the vagina. It is a common vaginal condition in women aged 15–44 years.
Signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include:
A number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) develop due to bacteria. Most bacterial STIs can infect anyone.
Some common bacterial STIs include:
Although each STI causes slightly different symptoms, most can cause the following:
Most skin infections develop when bacteria enter the body through breaks in the skin. These breaks may occur as a result of surgical incisions or injuries such as cuts, scrapes, and burns.
Two common skin infections are cellulitis and impetigo.
CellulitisCellulitis is a common skin infection in which bacteria infect the deeper layers of the skin. It typically affects one of the limbs.
Some signs and symptoms of cellulitis include:
Impetigo is another common bacterial skin infection. It typically affects the face and hands but may also affect other parts of the body.
Impetigo causes flushed, itchy sores that leak clear fluid. Over the course of several days, the sores crust over to form honey colored scabs.
Other possible signs and symptoms of impetigo include:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are bacterial infections that develop somewhere within the urinary system.
These infections affect around 60% of women and 12% of men at least once in their lifetime.
Signs and symptoms of a UTI include:
A UTI that affects the kidneys may cause additional symptoms, such as:
Meningococcal meningitis is the medical term for a bacterial infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It is a life threatening condition that requires urgent medical treatment.
Signs and symptoms of meningitis include:
Some possible symptoms of meningitis in infants and babies include:
Any severe or untreated bacterial infection can trigger an exaggerated immune response called sepsis. This condition can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
Some signs and symptoms of sepsis include:
Knowing which type of microbe is causing symptoms is critical to receiving appropriate treatment.
The treatment for bacterial infections is usually a course of antibiotics. Doctors may prescribe antiviral medications for certain viral infections, but few antiviral medications exist.
There are some illnesses that tend to develop due to either bacteria or viruses.
Infections typically due to bacteria include:
Infections typically due to viruses include:
Learn more about the differences between bacterial and viral infections here.
Most bacterial infections require treatment with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic a doctor prescribes for a particular bacterial infection will usually depend on:
Antibiotics are available in various forms. A person can take them orally in the form of pills or apply them topically in the form of creams or ointments.
If a person has a severe bacterial infection, they may require intravenous antibiotics.
Practicing good hygiene is the best way to help prevent bacterial infections. Good hygiene means washing the hands and body thoroughly and frequently, as well as keeping all personal items clean.
Some other prevention tips include:
Anyone who thinks that they have a bacterial infection should talk with a doctor, especially if their symptoms persist or worsen.
Most bacterial infections resolve with prompt treatment and do not cause any further complications. However, untreated or improperly treated infections can become severe and may cause life threatening complications.
A person should seek prompt medical care if they experience any of the following symptoms:
Certain groups are more likely to develop severe infections or complications. At-risk populations who generally require more intensive care or monitoring include:
Bacterial infections can cause some general symptoms, such as pain, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. They may also cause some other symptoms depending on where in the body they occur.
Bacterial infections typically require treatment with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic a person receives will depend on the location and severity of the infection they have.
Untreated bacterial infections can cause severe or life threatening complications. A person should see their doctor if they experience any symptoms that warrant prompt medical care or if their existing symptoms persist or worsen.
4 Signs Your Swollen Lymph Node Is Something More Serious
Your lymph nodes may be small, but they're mighty – these tiny structures filter out everything from a cold to cancer.
But is it okay for your lymph nodes to be swollen?
Maybe, says Vipra Sharma, MD, MPH, an oncologist with Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute.
"If you get a simple cold or more serious infection such as pneumonia – or even if you get something basic like poison ivy or dental infection – your lymph nodes work to protect your body," Dr. Sharma says.
But sometimes the swelling can be a sign of something more serious. Dr. Sharma explains how you can tell the difference. For the full article, click here.
What Are Lymph Nodes? And Can A Massage Really Improve Lymphatic Drainage?
The lymphatic system has long been considered mysterious.
Unlike blood vessels, lymphatic vessels are not very visible to the naked eye, even during surgery. Because of this, the anatomy and functions of the lymphatic system have historically not been well studied. The fluid in the lymphatic system was named "lymph" after the Greek nymph—a mythical creature associated with clear streams—and the Roman Lympha, goddesses of fresh water.
But the lymphatic system—and the lymph nodes within it—plays fascinating and important roles in health and disease, from fighting off infection to maintain the body's fluid balance.
A major part of our immune systemThe lymphatic system protects the body against foreign invaders and enables us to mount an immune response.
Lymphocytes are the cells of the lymphatic system. These are a type of white blood cell and include B cells and T cells. B cells produce antibodies to attack invading pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. T cells destroy the body's own cells if they become cancerous or infected.
Lymphocytes are mostly contained in about 700 peanut-sized lymph glands in the body. Enlarged lymph nodes, such as after a vaccination or with an infection, are due to lymphocytes mounting a protective immune response. Lymphoma is a cancer that happens when lymphocytes multiply uncontrollably and cause swollen lymph glands throughout the body.
We also have lymphatic tissue in parts our airways and digestive system because these areas are exposed to external bugs via the air we breath or the things we eat and drink. In the digestive system, the lymphatic system also has an essential role in absorbing dietary fat from the intestines.
Some lymphocytes travel around the body conducting pathogen surveillance for invading bugs. They circulate between lymph nodes, lymph and the blood.
A fine balance of fluidsEvery day, about 20 liters of fluid is pushed out of capillaries—our smallest blood vessels—into tissues and organs. This is driven by blood pressure and is how tissues get oxygen and energy. About 17 liters of this fluid returns to the veins, alongside carbon dioxide and other waste products.
But what happens to the remaining 3 liters of fluid?
If it stayed in our tissues, it would cause swelling called oedema, sometimes referred to as fluid retention.
Luckily, our lymphatic vessels usually pick up this remaining 3 liters of fluid and return it to the blood circulation.
Starting in the tissues just under the skin and around our organs, the lymphatic system is a one-way circulatory system. Lymphatic vessels carry lymph from the tissues via lymph nodes and then into veins that drain directly into the heart.
A slow flowUnlike the blood circulation, the lymphatic circulation is not driven by the pumping of the heart. Lymph is moved towards the heart by muscular contractions of the lymphatic vessels and one-way valves.
Movement, exercise and deep breathing all help to move lymph through lymphatic vessels.
It is difficult to move lymph against gravity, and lymph can accumulate and cause swelling or oedema in the legs and feet. Many people have experienced this as swollen feet after standing still for too long or sitting during a long-haul flight.
Too much fluidOedema can also occur when too much fluid moves out of the capillaries and overloads the capacity of the lymphatic vessels to reabsorb it.
This can be due to heart failure, chronic venous insufficiency, liver failure or kidney disease. In our research, we found 49% of people with chronic venous insufficiency (or poor blood flow in the veins) had leg oedema.
Lymphoedema is when the oedema is caused by a problem with the lymphatic system. This is commonly due to obstruction of lymph drainage or removal of lymph nodes during cancer treatment.
Treatments can help lymph flow more freelyLymphoedema treatments include lymphatic massage, compression bandages or stockings, and exercise.
Lymphatic massage requires specialized training and an understanding of the lymphatic vessels. It involves stretching and stroking the skin to move fluid from the swollen region to a location where the lymphatic system is functioning properly.
Lymphatic massage can reduce lymphoedema associated with cancer treatment. An Australian study also reported that lymphatic massage reduced pain, depression and fatigue in cancer patients.
Increasing lymph flow back towards the heart is also essential to prevent complications like cellulitis or skin infection. A proper diagnosis should precede any treatment for lymphoedema.
You might have seen social media posts or services promising to boost lymphatic drainage for relaxation, beauty or health reasons. Lymphatic facial massage and traditional Chinese techniques of gua sha and jade rollers can increase blood flow and lymph flow, but need to be used correctly.
These treatments are best performed by someone who is trained in the anatomy of the lymphatic system and lymph flow. If you do try these yourself, light pressure is needed because the lymphatic vessels are only just under the skin. It is uncommon to have lymphoedema in the face, but increased blood flow to the skin and a nice massage are still beneficial.
To keep your lymphatic system working well, it is important to exercise, maintain a healthy weight and eat a diet that is rich in antioxidants and not high in salt.
New promise for patientsNew research is examining artificial stimulation of new lymphatic vessel growth.
Better imaging techniques have allowed for clearer visualization of the lymphatic pathways and increased understanding of the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system may not be as mysterious as it once was. However, there is still much more to be learnt about the lymphatic system and its roles in health and disease.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Citation: What are lymph nodes? And can a massage really improve lymphatic drainage? (2023, August 3) retrieved 26 August 2023 from https://medicalxpress.Com/news/2023-08-lymph-nodes-massage-lymphatic-drainage.Html
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