Since bubonic plague can be fatal, it is important to get medical attention quickly. The chances of a person dying from bubonic plague before the advent of antibiotics was about 66 percent, but this has been reduced to 11 percent with appropriate treatment. It is also important to note that some individuals that ignore medical treatment may develop pneumonic plague, which is far more serious and 100 percent fatal without the timely administration of antibiotics.
Bacterial Infections
Bacterial infections like typhoid, strep throat and some sexually transmitted diseases are infections caused by different types of bacteria. These infections are often treated with doctor-prescribed antibiotics. Either viruses or bacteria can cause infections, so its important to get examined by a doctor to make sure youre prescribed the correct medication.
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First, septic arthritis is treated with antibiotics to kill the infection causing the condition. The antibiotics are typically given through an IV at first, to maximize their effect. Additionally, your doctor may drain some of the fluid or pus from the joint to minimize permanent damage.
The type of antibiotics your doctor will give you depends on the type of infection causing the septic arthritis. In many cases, your doctor will start you on antibiotics before the laboratory can confirm what type of infection you have; in this case, you doctor may change your antibiotics once a confirmation is made. Over-the-counter analgesics (like ibuprofen and acetaminophen) can be used to treat the pain.
There are no alternative treatments for septic arthritis; the infection causing the condition must be treated by antibiotics. If septic arthritis is left untreated, the infection can destroy the joint permanently, leading to osteoarthritis or joint deformity. IF you suspect you have septic arthritis, contact your doctor right away.
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Septic arthritis, also known as infectious arthritis, is caused by an infection in a joint. The infection is typically caused by bacteria, though viruses and fungi can also cause septic arthritis. The bacteria, virus or fungi travel through the bloodstream from infected tissue to the joint, causing an infection that creates pain, swelling and fever.
Septic arthritis can occur in someone at any age, though certain risk factors, such as artificial joints or certain diseases, skew more toward adults. In children, septic arthritis is more likely to occur in children under three years old. Septic arthritis is least common in children from the age of three through adolescence.
Septic arthritis is a very treatable condition, and will not last long if treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, however, septic arthritis can cause life-long damage to the affected joint, such as osteoarthritis or a joint deformity. If you suspect you have septic arthritis, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
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HealthyWomen answeredSee All 2 AnswersBacterial vaginosis (BV) is treated with antibiotics. The primary goal in treating BV is to relieve signs and symptoms of infection. All women with symptoms should be treated.
The most common therapies are metronidazole (Flagyl) and clindamycin (Cleocin). Both metronidazole and clindamycin are available by prescription in oral (pill) form. Metronidazole is available in a gel (MetroGel-Vaginal), and clindamycin is available in a cream (such as Clindesse) that you insert into the vagina. Generic versions of these antibiotics also are available and effective.
If your symptoms disappear with treatment, you don't have to see your healthcare professional again. One round of treatment usually works in about 70 percent of cases. However, BV frequently recurs and can be chronic in some women.
Even if all symptoms disappear, it's important that women take the full course of treatment and alert their healthcare professional of any symptoms that persist after finishing the antibiotic, because BV can recur within three to 12 months, despite treatment.
While you're being treated for BV, you may be advised not to have sex; if you do have sex, your partner should wear condoms. Treating your male partner isn't necessary, however, since studies find it doesn't help prevent another infection. Female partners may need treatment, however.
Treatment is more complicated for pregnant women. If you've previously delivered a premature infant, you may be tested for BV during your first prenatal visit. If you have the infection, you should be treated promptly.
Regardless of other risk factors for preterm delivery, all symptomatic pregnant women should be tested and treated. However, most studies show no difference in risk of preterm delivery in asymptomatic women who don't get treated versus those who get treated. Thus, pregnant women with asymptomatic BV don't require treatment.
In any case, pregnant women who are going to be screened should have this done during the first prenatal visit.
This content originally appeared on HealthyWomen.org.
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Bacterial infections are caused by microscopic single-celled organisms, which invade the body. An infection occurs when bacteria multiply in a particular area and cause inflammation. Examples of infections caused by bacteria are strep throat, urinary tract infections, and diphtheria.
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You can find out if you have bacterial vaginosis (BV) by getting a diagnosis from a trained healthcare professional. All it takes is a test to check the level of acidity, or pH, in the vagina. A vaginal pH greater than 4.5 is one sign you may have BV.
Your healthcare professional will also take a vaginal discharge specimen for examination under a microscope to look for "clue cells"—cells from the vaginal lining that are covered with bacteria.
In addition to measuring the vaginal pH and checking for clue cells, your healthcare professional may place a drop of 10 percent potassium hydroxide on a vaginal fluid specimen and check the odor. Several commercial tests also are available to diagnose BV. Cultures for Gardnerella vaginalis alone and cervical Pap tests are not accurate methods for diagnosing BV.
It's recommended that women not douche or use vaginal deodorant sprays before their appointment because these can mask odors and irritate the vagina. Women should also try not to be evaluated for vaginal discharge during the menstrual period because it can make diagnosis more difficult.
This content originally appeared on HealthyWomen.org.
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SCAI answeredSee All 2 AnswersIf you allow strep throat to go untreated, it can turn into an illness called rheumatic fever. If strep throat progresses to rheumatic fever, it can cause damage to the heart’s valves and reduce the ability of your heart to effectively pump blood to the rest of your body. Severe damage to the heart’s valves can lead to heart failure.
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that occurs after a person experiences strep throat, which is an infection of the throat caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria. Symptoms of rheumatic fever include joint pain, chest pain, fever, fatigue and skin rashes and nodules (bumps under the skin). Both strep throat and rheumatic fever are treated with antibiotics. Patients who are diagnosed with rheumatic fever may need to take low levels of antibiotics for months or years to prevent reoccurrences of the disease.
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HealthyWomen answeredSee All 2 Answers
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age.
BV has gone by different names in the past, including nonspecific vaginitis and Gardnerella vaginalis vaginitis. BV is simpler to remember, but there is nothing simple about this condition, and it is not harmless, as was once believed.
BV is actually a syndrome resulting from an imbalance in the different types of bacteria in the vagina (also called vaginal "flora"). A healthy vagina has numerous organisms that naturally live there. The vast majority—about 95 percent—belong to a type of bacteria called lactobacillus.
There are several kinds of lactobacillus, at least one of which is responsible for keeping the vagina's pH at normal levels. One hypothesis claims that when these levels become unbalanced, certain microorganisms may overtake the normal flora leading to a low-grade infection that often produces an abnormal vaginal discharge.
This content originally appeared on HealthyWomen.org.
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Septic arthritis is caused by bacteria, and less commonly viruses or fungi, that spread from an infection to the joint. Joints can also be infected during surgery or through an injury. When the joint is infected, the joint becomes inflamed. Infection by bacteria may also cause the cartilage in the joint to break down.
It is possible to develop septic arthritis as an adult. Many of the risk factors for septic arthritis—artificial joints, diabetes or a weak immune system—are found in adults. If you believe you are suffering the symptoms of septic arthritis, contact your doctor.
If you are suffering from an infection, it's important to be careful. If you injure a joint, you are at a higher risk for developing septic arthritis. Additionally, an infection can be spread to the joint during surgery or an injury. If you have a compromised immune system or another type of joint condition, you are also at a higher risk for septic arthritis.
If you are undergoing surgery, talk to your doctor about how to avoid septic arthritis.
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Bubonic plague is the most common of the three types of plague. In the United States, the disease is rather rare and happens primarily in rural areas in southwestern states like Arizona and New Mexico. On average, about seven people in the United States get infected annually. This rate is much lower than in other parts of the world; an average of a little more than 500 people around the world get the plague each year.