It appears that today we're more cautious about germs than ever before, contrasting with historical practices like tossing waste out of windows in the Middle Ages. Nowadays, people carry antibacterial gel and wipes everywhere, perhaps viewing the world as a hostile environment. While many bacteria are beneficial, such as those found in yogurt, some can be harmful to humans. Interested in learning more? Here are the Top 10 Bacteria That Pose Serious Health Risks! But before we dive in, why not join our community as an archivist? Click that subscribe button and notification bell so you never miss an upload! If you enjoy this video, show your support by giving it a thumbs up, and share your experiences with harmful bacteria in the comments below!
10. E. Coli Hemorrhagic Colitis
E. Coli is hardly unknown. When this music comes on, we automatically think of some sort of terrible meat. Usually benign, the bacteria reside in the digestive system and are expelled as faeces. E. Coli comes in a variety of forms, but others are simply downright dangerous.
One produces a substance known as Shiga toxin, which, once it enters your body and feeds off the E. Coli bacteria, causes hemorrhagic colitis, which is just as entertaining as it sounds. Basically, it's a painful and bloody kind of diarrhoea that can lead to severe dehydration, renal damage, and even death for the host. Since they pass quickly, you can battle them with IV fluids and rehydration until your body is able to fight them off. You could essentially poop to death if you don't get treatment. About 60 instances of the estimated 73,400 infections that occur annually in the US result in mortality.
9. Beta-Hemolytic Streptococci
Despite its strange and esoteric name, this bacteria is the real cause of the widely reported Scarlet Fever, which was the primary cause of paediatric fatalities in the early 1900s. It was so widespread that Charles Darwin himself lost a child to it. There is more than one type of bacterium that causes it.
Initially, the ensuing fever presents as a painful throat and fever, commonly referred to as strep throat. Then, it begins to manifest as a red, bumpy rash. You'll also have bumps and redness on your tongue. Fever can result in heart and renal failure, throat abscesses, and even death. Since the discovery of antibiotics, virtually no treatment-related fatalities have occurred; but, if treatment is not received, complications will almost always result in death.
8. Mycobacterium
Although this microbe isn't very well-known by name, the illness it causes has claimed the lives of so many well-known figures that it's difficult to keep count. Many of our real-life and fictional idols have died from this illness, including Nicole Kidman's role in Moulin Rouge and Franz Kafka and Henry David Thoreau. People have been dying from the bacterium since the time of the Ancient Egyptians, and maybe much earlier! Which one of them are we referring to? tuberculosis, naturally!
Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most prevalent kind of tuberculosis (TB). It is simply a bacterial lung infection that can settle in your lungs and remain latent for several years at a time. Oh no, that's not where it ends either. When an infection is serious, the germs might spread to other areas of the body, such as the kidneys or the bones! It is also referred to as the "white death" since it progressively robs victims of their vitality, leaving them weak, pallid, and defenceless. Over 1.5 million deaths globally in 2018 were related to TB complications.
7. Clostridium Tetani
Okay, so the name of this bacteria may not be a dead giveaway, but it does provide a little indication. It is sometimes affectionately referred to as "lockjaw" and "the grinning death" since it creates a sickness. True enough, tetanus. It's your mother's favourite excuse to get all worked up over you scraping, cutting, or puncturing your skin.
The clostridium tetani bacteria, which is present in dirt or contaminated soil, is the origin of the sickness. It works by attaching itself to your nerve cells and muscles, causing spasms, and gradually killing your entire system. Naturally, they result in jaw locking, teeth grinding, uncontrollably smiling, and severe muscular spasms that have the potential to shatter bones! Of course, paralysis of the respiratory muscles or any combination of these symptoms might end in death. The majority of the approximately 38,000 deaths from complications that occurred globally in 2017 occurred in Central Africa.
6. Neisseria Meningitidis
This bacterium, which is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, causes meningococcal meningitis, a nerve system infection characterised by fever, headache, stiffness, abnormalities in vision, and vomiting. People may have organ and skin bleeding and rashes. Although Neisseria meningitidis is a lethal infection, modern medicine has made vaccinations possible, reducing the pathogen's prevalence and hazard level. However, every year, some 170,000 individuals worldwide pass away, even with appropriate care.
5. Bacillus Anthracis
This bacterium is the source of a well-known illness and bioterrorist tool. What can you guess? It's the Anthrax! There are three types of it: gastrointestinal, cutaneous, and respiratory. It is extremely harmful due to the fact that its spores are airborne and can be fatally inhaled. In fact, US mail envelopes were tainted with it back in 2001.
When an ulcer breaks through the skin, you'll notice it. However, that is the milder variety. When inhaled, it causes flu-like symptoms at first, then chest discomfort, dyspnea, and blood infections, which ultimately result in death (it really kills 80% of people). The gastrointestinal one is derived from undercooked meat and can result in severe bleeding. It also creates ulcers on the inside, ranging from your mouth to your anus (you're welcome for that metaphor). Because anthrax is so potent, it can also infect your spinal cord and brain. Basically, it's really uncomfortable but manageable, so go see a doctor right now, okay?
4. Leptospira
This microorganism is essentially infatuated with yellow. This colour is present everywhere, from its dissemination to its aftereffects. This spiralling, coiled bacterium is often transferred from animals to people through urine. It is the cause of Leptospirosis, a disease that can be challenging to identify and doesn't always attack in the same manner. There are instances when an infection causes no symptoms at all.
In other cases, you have yellow skin and renal failure, which typically results in death. An estimated 7 to 10 million individuals contract the virus each year, with 59,000 of those cases ending in death.
3. Treponema Pallidum
This bacteria causes the well-known and stigmatized Syphilis infection. It’s often called the “great imitator” because it loves to play hide-and-seek dress-up. This is a game when you dress up like other diseases to hide from the treatment that’s going to eliminate you entirely. It’s not really fun, but it’s little Syphilis’ favorite.
Famous people in history such as Van Gogh and Beethoven probably had the disease, according to historians. The infection has three stages. The first, ulcers on the genitals which could resolve or even go unnoticed. Second, flu-like symptoms. Finally, a rash appears, as well as hair loss, headaches, and liver inflammation. Then, what? Well, then it goes to sleep, sometimes for up to 30 years, when it might start at a late phase causing heart problems, infecting your nervous system and even causing insanity. Although cures have been available, roughly 100,000 people still die annually worldwide from the disease.
2. Clostridium Difficile
This illness results from the healthy bacteria always outwitting the harmful ones in your intestines and winning that battle. The intestines get diseased, enlarge, and sometimes rupture! Toxic Megacolon is the name of the ensuing sickness, which could or might not be my supervillain moniker.
In severe circumstances, patients will require the removal of large parts of their intestines on the operating table in order to preserve their lives. The infection poses a major hazard to your life even before it reaches the point of bursting or rupture. Fortunately, this illness is curable as well, if it is detected early.
1. Necrotizing Fasciitis
Finally, one we know and hate. Flesh-eating bacteria haunts all of our minds. This bacteria infects tissue and starts causing the death of the actual structures. There are actually lots of bacteria that cause this.
During the US Civil War, there were a lot of cases in which soldiers suffered the disease in, brace for impact, their genitals! The best part, a lot of guys gained lovely tenor singing voices (just kidding about that … there was no best part). The worst part? There’s nothing you can do at this point. After the bacteria has caused the death of the tissue, the only real option is to amputate and remove it. Hope you’re good at goodbyes! Feel like taking a nice long shower now? Annually, roughly 1,000 people will die every year in the United States from complications.
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