does anyone know anything about bacterial infections?

Question

I have a bacterial infection in my respitory tract:
a) how did I get something like this?
b) why does my chest hurt so bad?

Answer 1

In the order asked:
a. You came into contact with someone who already had it. Either, directly (like they coughed on you) or indirectly (they coughed into their hand, then touched a doorknob, and you came along and touched the same doorknob and then your eyes, nose, or mouth).
b. Probably because you've got a nasty cough that's putting strain on your muscles. See the doctor if you already haven't to get some medication to treat the infection, and help you breathe, if you're having difficulty.

REST.

Feel better!!

Answer 2

To really understand the main reason why, let us go into details first:

Upper respiratory system
The upper respiratory system includes the nose, ears, sinuses, and throat. A person with an upper respiratory infection may feel uncomfortable and sound very congested. Other symptoms of an upper respiratory infection include:

1.A runny or stuffy nose. This may lead to blockage of the nasal passages, causing the child to breathe through his or her mouth.
Irritability, restlessness, poor appetite, and decreased activity level.
2.Coughing, especially when lying down.
3.Fever that occurs suddenly and may reach 105° (41°).

Lower respiratory system
The lower respiratory system includes the bronchial tubes and lungs. Respiratory problems are less common in the lower respiratory system than in the upper respiratory system.

Symptoms of a lower respiratory (bronchial tubes and lungs) problem usually are more severe than symptoms of an upper respiratory (ears, nose, sinuses, and throat) problem. A person with a lower respiratory problem is more likely to require a visit to a doctor than a person with an upper respiratory problem.

Symptoms of lower respiratory system infections include:

1.Shallow coughing, which continues throughout the day and night.
2.Fever, which may be high with some lower respiratory system infections, such as pneumonia.
3.Difficulty breathing. You may notice:
-Rapid breathing.
-Grunting, which is heard during the breathing out (exhaling) phase of breathing. Most babies grunt occasionally when they sleep. However, grunting that occurs with rapid, shallow breathing may indicate lower respiratory system infection.
-Wheezing.
-Flaring the nostrils and using the neck, chest, and abdominal muscles to breathe, causing a "sucking in" between or under the ribs (retractions).
These are probably what you are experiencing right now since your chest hurt so bad.

Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections only after they have developed, so most health professionals do not prescribe them until a bacterial infection is suspected or confirmed. Also best prevention is to wash your hands daily to prevent the spread of bacteria especially to small children. Get plenty of rest and fluids. The main reason why you got this infection is probably due to the virus in the air, pollution or smoke inhalation and from other person that are infected.

Hope this information helps. Goodluck.

Answer 3

I got pneumonia a few months ago. It´s a respiratory infection and my chest hurt also, like yours, and I had a very high temperature for weeks. It was awful. I was told that I could have got it on the plane (I´d just got back from a holiday), the underground or air-conditioning. Apparently these are the most typical places. The doctor will give you a kind of very strong antibiotics and after about 2 days you´ll start to feel better. Then take paracetamol for your headache. It´s also very important that you rest A LOT, if not your lungs could become permanently damaged, or so I was told. You´ll get over it! like I did! you just have to be a bit patient, it´s not a short process. Cheer up!

Answer 4

oh man, i have to tell you, i had Horrible brochitis, chronically, for years. I think my immune system was terrible and I was a young woman who didn't sleep enough and had way too much fun. I took many rounds of antibiotics and things seemed to get worse all the time.
Now i eat more alkaline/raw/organic foods and get a bit more sleep. I drink way more water and I also have used goldenseal root powder in teas to fight off bacteria infections and they stopped coming back so badly. other things i have been using are oregano oil, drinking apple cider vinegar, etc. i haven't had bronchitis in years, and i am just beating my sinus infection. i think what had happened is that too much of my good bacteria was killed off when on antibiotics and i couldn't get back to a good balance. i have been doing natural stuff for 1.5 yrs now and feel wonderful. we'll see how it goes.

as for your question:
1) it doesn't take much to contract something like this, just an immune system issue. we are always surrounded by bacteria that can cause many different sicknesses, like for example staph infections. a few years ago i could have been living in a near-sterile environment and i was still getting extremely sick.

2) your chest is probably so inflamed. it'll be worse if you have been coughing, too. that's just plain painful. i hope you feel better soon!

Answer 5

You need an antibiotic to get rid of it! You could have touched something, that was infected by someone else. your respiratory system has been compromised. You need to see a doctor a.s.a.p. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Respiratory Tract Infections




What are respiratory tract infections?
The respiratory tract is made up of the whole system that allows you to breathe. From your nose and throat, detouring to the sinuses, then down the trachea to your lungs, the respiratory tract carries the air that supplies the oxygen necessary for life. All of the respiratory tract is lined with the same type of moist membrane and functions as a complete system. Because the respiratory tract functions by inhaling air from the outside world, infections of this system are very common - unfortunately, the outside world is full of germs


What types of germs cause respiratory tract infections?
Two major types of germs, or microorganisms, cause infections in the respiratory tract. Understanding the differences between these is crucial to understanding why some infections are treated with antibiotics and others are not
With that background, let us now look at the common types of respiratory tract infections



The common cold
All of us have had a cold - most of us have one or two a year. Colds are the best example of a viral illness. There are several different families of viruses that can cause the common cold - the most common family is called rhinovirus ("rhino" means nose). Over 150 rhinoviruses cause infections in humans, so even though you develop immunity to each particular virus after you have had it. You can still have dozens and dozens of colds over your lifetime with lots of viruses left over



Influenza
Influenza, while also caused by a virus, is very different from the common cold. Influenza lasts longer (usually two weeks) has different symptoms (severe headaches and aching muscles, persistent dry cough and overwhelming fatigue) and is much more severe. In people who are frail because of age or other medical conditions, influenza can be fatal - more people died in a worldwide influenza epidemic in 1918 than died in all of the battles of the First World War.
Another important difference between influenza and the common cold is that influenza can be prevented with a safe, effective vaccine. A "flu shot," given in the fall each year, significantly reduces your chance of catching this severe infection. Vaccination should be given to everybody over age 65, healthcare workers, and anyone with a serious chronic illness. Many doctors also suggest vaccination for everyone over six months of age to reduce the amount of influenza in the community. Ontario has provided free influenza vaccine for all of its citizens for several years in an effort to reduce the strain on hospital emergency departments and doctors' offices over the winter "flu season".



Acute sinusitis
Infections of the sinuses often follow, or arrive as a complication of the common cold. Typically, after you have had the cold for three or four days, you find yourself getting worse rather than better, with pain below your eyes, toothache, and fever. Tapping over the cheekbones or bending over to tie your shoelaces will often cause severe pain
Acute sinusitis is usually a bacterial infection, so antibiotics are very useful. This is often a stubborn infection, so antibiotics may need to be given for 10 or 14 days. As well, many doctors prescribe a cortisone (steroid) nose spray, to open the nasal airway and reduce congestion. Inhaling hot, moist air often relieves pain - the safe way to do this is to plug the kitchen sink, fill it full of very hot water from the tap, then put your head over the sink with a towel over your head for five minutes

Bronchitis
Bronchitis, again, is often a complication of the common cold. Like many respiratory tract infections, bronchitis is more likely to develop in smokers, because smoking impairs the ability of the respiratory tract's lining to clear out germs. Bronchitis shows up as a persistent cough, usually with thick, coloured phlegm, but without a fever, following a common cold
Medical experts feel that many cases of bronchitis are caused by viruses and will get better without antibiotics. In some cases an antibiotic might be prescribed, especially if you are a smoker, elderly, have other health problems, or continue to get worse as days go by. If you are a smoker, quitting smoking now will help you get better faster and reduce the chance of bronchitis in the future

Pneumonia
Pneumonia, the most severe of the common respiratory tract infections, involves an infection in the lung itself. If you have pneumonia, you are usually quite ill with high fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and weakness
The potential severity of pneumonia is shown by Canadian statistics. In 1997, over 8000 Canadians died of pneumonia (the statistical category is called "pneumonia and influenza," but most deaths are due to pneumonia)

Pneumonia is usually a bacterial infection, so it can be treated with antibiotics. If you are generally healthy, and younger, then treatment at home is usually suggested (this is sometimes called "walking pneumonia"). In contrast, hospital treatment is usually required if you are elderly, have other medical problems, or are more seriously ill

Although dozens of different types of bacteria can cause pneumonia, a safe vaccine is available that offers protection against 23 of the most common bacterial types. Most doctors strongly recommend this vaccine for you if you are over age 65 or if you are younger but have lung disease such as emphysema or other chronic medical conditions. As well, yearly influenza vaccine is a good preventive measure because influenza (a viral infection) often is complicated by pneumonia (a bacterial infection)

How can I prevent respiratory infections?
Avoiding cigarette smoke (quitting smoking yourself, or avoiding second-hand smoke) is one of the most important steps that you can take to reduce respiratory infections. Hand washing is the best way to stop the spread of many infections - if someone in your family has a common cold or influenza, both of you should wash your hands frequently. Immunization against influenza (yearly) and pneumonia (once) is very effective and safe. Even though respiratory tract infections are common, you can prevent many of them by following these simple suggestions