FROM B∆CTERI∆ TO S E P S I S ∆ L L YO U N E E D TO K N O W. . .
Bacteria are tiny little organisms which live all around us. They are sometimes known as “germs or bugs” and most of the time are completely harmless – indeed some of these bugs in our tummy are good for us. If you look at the objects above you may be surprised to know that they are all covered in bugs. In the kitchen w h e r e w e p r e p a r e f o o d t h o u g h w e s h o u l d b e c a r e f u l t o ke e p i t clean to prevent some of the nasty bugs getting on our food! Sometimes if bacteria get into the wrong place they can make us ill. A cut on your skin can get infected with bacteria, a sore throat or sore ear may be caused by bacteria.
Sepsis can occur when a local bacterial infection gets into the blood stream and spreads throughout the whole body. It can cause damage to other organs including your kidneys, heart, lungs and brain.
All bacteria have special areas on their surface called antigens. These are detected by special proteins in our body - known as antibodies which usually kill the bacteria. Under a very powerful microscope these antigens can look like blobs on the surface of the bacteria.
Prompt recognition and treatment of sepsis with antibiotics can prevent this and save lives. To find out more about bacteria and sepsis watch the YouTube video “From bacteria to sepsis - all you need to know”. You will follow the journey of a bacteria and discover how a simple infection can progress to sepsis.
Antibiotics are medicines which kill bacteria. However, some bacteria have become clever and are able to stop the antibiotics working. To help them stick to cells in the body some bacteria have hair-like structures on their surface called fimbriae. 34
