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Bacteria Facts

*) In 1675 Antony van Leeuwenhoek discovered bacteria.

*) In 1876 Robert Koch, by studying anthrax, showed the role of bacteria in disease.

*) In 1928 Alexander Fleming was credited with discovering penicillin.

*) Microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protozoa, have existed on Earth for billions of years.

*) In the 14th century, a bacterium that modern scientists identified as Yersinia pestis caused the bubonic plague, or Black Death. Bubonic plague entered Europe and Africa through infected rodents and fleas that accompanied travelers along trade routes from Mongolia. The plague epidemic spread through Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, killing about 20 million people in Europe alone. Plague is spread to humans through the bites of fleas, which pick up the bacteria while sucking blood from rodents, especially rats. In the United States, health care providers report cases of plague even today, most of which are found in the Southwest.

*) Scientists have discovered fossilized remains of bacteria that date back more than 3.5 billion years, placing them among the oldest living things on Earth.

*) Newly emerging diseases are a growing global health concern. Since 1976, scientists have identified approximately 30 new pathogens. Pathogens are microorganisms capable of causing disease.

*) Scientists have identified more than 500 types of bacteria that live in our mouths. Some keep the oral environment healthy, while others cause problems like gum disease. One way you can transmit oral bacteria is by kissing.

*) Microbes such as HIV, herpes simplex virus, and gonorrhea bacteria are examples of germs that can be transmitted directly during sexual intercourse.

*) The Story of "Typhoid Mary"
The story of "Typhoid Mary" is a famous example from medical history about how a person can pass germs on to others, yet not be affected by those germs. The germs in this case were Salmonella typhi bacteria, which cause typhoid fever and are usually spread through food or water. In the early 20th century, Mary Mallon, an Irish immigrant, worked as a cook for several New York City families. More than half of the first family she worked for came down with typhoid fever. Through a clever deduction, a researcher determined that the disease was caused by the family cook. He concluded that although Mary had no symptoms of the disease, she probably had had a mild typhoid infection sometime in the past. Though not sick, she still carried the Salmonella bacteria and was able to spread them to others through the food she prepared.

*) Germs From Your Household Pet Can Make You Sick
Dog and cat saliva can contain any of more than 100 different germs that can make you sick. Pasteurella bacteria, the most common, can be transmitted through bites that break the skin causing serious, and sometimes fatal, diseases such as blood infections and meningitis. Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Warm-blooded animals are not the only ones that can cause you harm. Pet reptiles such as turtles, snakes, and iguanas can give Salmonella bacteria to their unsuspecting owners.

*) The tiny deer tick can infect humans with Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, which the tick picks up from mice.

*) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths are related to foodborne diseases each year.

*) Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria sometimes persist in food products such as undercooked hamburger meat and unpasteurized fruit juice. These bacteria can have deadly consequences in vulnerable people, especially children and the elderly.

*) Cryptosporidia are bacteria found in human and animal feces. These bacteria can get into lake, river, and ocean water from sewage spills, animal waste, and water runoff. Millions can be released from infectious fecal matter. People who drink, swim in, or play in infected water can get sick.

*) People, including babies, with diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidia or other diarrhea-causing microbes such as Giardia and Salmonella, can infect others while using swimming pools, waterparks, hot tubs, and spas.

*) Normal bacteria, such as Lactobacilli in your digestive system, help destroy disease-causing microbes.

*) The discovery of antibiotics to treat and cure many bacterial diseases was a major breakthrough in medical history. Because antibiotics have been overused, overprescribed, or inappropriately prescribed for many years, bacteria have become resistant to the killing effects of these drugs.

This resistance, called antibiotic or drug resistance, is creating stronger germs. When bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, it is often harder and more expensive to treat the infection. Losing the ability to treat serious bacterial infections is a major threat to public health, especially in hospital settings. Bacteria that are not killed by the antibiotic become strong enough to resist the same medicine the next time it is given. Because bacteria multiply so rapidly, changed or mutated bacteria that resist antibiotics will quickly outnumber those that can be destroyed by those same drugs.

Remember, only take antibiotic drugs when they are prescribed by your health care provider. Taking them when they are not needed can create stronger germs, like MRSA.

*) Do You Really Need an Antibiotic?
Antibiotics don't work on viral infections, like colds and flu. It may surprise you to know that they also don't work on most ear infections and bronchitis. Talk with your health care provider about whether you really need an antibiotic. To learn more vivst Washington State Department of Health

References:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
www3.niaid.nih.gov