Bacterial infection

Bacteria are microscopic organisms ("germs") that sometimes cause infections in the body. We are constantly interacting with bacteria in our everyday environment.

Many bacteria are normally present in the body and some of them are helpful, for example they break down food in the digestive tract so that the body can use it. However, others are harmful to the body and cause infection.

Bacterial infection is treated with medicines called antibiotics, for example penicillins. Antibiotics will not work against viral infections such as colds and flus.

You should always follow your doctor's instructions and finish a course of antibiotics, even if you feel better. This is because the medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood and therefore, you need to take the medicine for as long as your doctor has prescribed to get rid of all the bacteria.