Bacteria were one of the first life forms to appear on Earth. A primitive organism, bacteria live in soil, on plants, in and on water, and on the surface of basically everything. You can even contract bacteria by handshaking or touching door knobs. 

There are a lot of good bacteria. Bacteria help recycle dead animals and plants. In industry, bacteria are important in sewage treatment and the breakdown of oil spills. Gut bacteria help us to digest food, destroy some disease-causing microorganisms, and provide nutrients. Good bacteria also keep the bad bacteria in check.

Bacteria were one of the first life forms to appear on Earth. Primitive organisms, bacteria live in soil, on plants, in and on water, and the surface of basically everything. You can even become contaminated by bacteria by handshaking or touching doorknobs. 

There are many good bacteria that cause no harm to humans and are actually useful in a range of different ways. Bacteria help recycle dead animals and plants. In industry, bacteria are important in sewage treatment and the breakdown of oil spills. Gut bacteria help us to digest food, destroy germs, and provide nutrients. Good bacteria also keep the bad (harmful) bacteria in check.

Harmful bacteria can cause many diseases, including pneumonia (for example Streptococcus pneumoniae), meningitis (for example Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis), strep throat (Group A Streptococcus), and food poisoning (for example Escherichia coli and Salmonella). These “bad” bacteria are why we need to wash our hands and clean our kitchens and bathrooms properly. In general, bacteria live in complex communities. Some bacteria and fungi produce antibiotics to kill or inhibit the growth of other bacteria, which are competitors within their habitat and communities.

Some bacteria can naturally undergo adaptations to become antibiotic-resistant so that they can survive in the presence of antibiotics in their natural environments. When people misuse or overuse antibiotics, however, some bad bacteria can adapt quickly to become resistant, whilst some good bacteria may die. These drug-resistant infections become more common, and the treatment of diseases becomes more difficult. We need to reduce the risk of drug-resistant bacterial infections by reducing the overuse and misuse of antibiotics and, more importantly, preventing infection in the first place.

It is essential that we don’t kill good bacteria by overuse or misuse of antibiotics.

Check out the videos about “bacteria”:

Lowered risk of antibiotic-related diarrhoeal