Meningitis Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Hemophilus influenzae Severe headache , vomiting , neck pain and stiffness Osteomyelitis Staphylococcus spp. Bone pain, fever , muscle spasms caused by infection of the bone Paratyphoid fever Salmonella spp. Symptoms vary with the part of the body affected, although the most common form eats away the lungs , producing a persistent cough that may bring up blood , fever , and wasting away. Severe headache , mental confusion, cough, diarrhea , rash, and high fever Typhus Rickettsia spp. Symptoms you are likely to notice It is important to use medicine against diseases caused by bacteria.
Many bacteria respond to antibiotics.
In a common situation a viral disease, such as a cold , leaves the body weak. With the immune system weakened, bacteria that normally do no harm are no longer kept in check, so they reproduce rapidly. While the virus disease will cure itself, the bacterial infection that follows may cause permanent damage or death. A very sore throat that is quite red, produces pus, or causes pain on swallowing should always be examined by a physician. Coughing, wheezing, chest pain, and breathlessness may indicate pneumonia , which can be either bacterial or viral, but which needs treatment in either case.