Bacterial infections

Bacterial infections can occur anywhere throughout the body. Most bacterial infections clear up on their own because the body’s immune system kills bacteria. However, sometimes bacterial infections can get a little out of control and overwhelm your immune system. In this case the infection should be treated with antibiotics.

Bacterial infections can occur throughout the body leading to many different problems, depending on the site of infection. The most common bacterial infections include:
- Pneumonia (pain, fever, coughing, general feeling of ill health);
- Middle ear infection (earache, possibly runny ear);
- Bladder infection (pain during urination, frequent urge to urinate, stomach pain);
- Skin infections (red, swollen skin, often accompanied by itching or pain);
- Rheumatoid arthritis (swollen, stiff, painful joints);
- Gastroenteritis (stomach ache, diarrhea);
- Eye infection (red eye, possibly accompanied by pain or discharge).

Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are available in various forms such as tablets, capsules and oral solution. There are also antibacterial and antiviral drops that can be used for eye or ear infections, as well as anti-inflammatory creams for topical use. It is important to finish the medication completely. If you take only half of the medication prescribed, it is likely that not all bacteria in your system will be killed, which can cause the infection to return.