What it means
A single-celled organism. Bacteria live everywhere, including on the skin and in the bowel, where most of them are harmless or helpful. Some cause infections, such as strep throat, urinary tract infectionYUR-ih-nair-ee TRAKT in-FEK-shunAn infection anywhere in the urinary tract: the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra.Full entry and tuberculosistoo-ber-kyoo-LOH-sisAn infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most often attacks the lungs.tubercul/o small swelling-osis abnormal conditionFull entry . antibiotican-tee-by-OT-ikA drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.anti- againstbi/o life-ic relating toFull entry treat bacterial infections; they do not work against viruses.
For the nurse
Get cultures before the first dose of an antibiotic when they are ordered, so the antibiotic does not hide what is growing. Teach clients to finish the course as prescribed. hand hygieneHAND HY-jeenCleaning the hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.Full entry is the most important way to stop bacteria spreading.
In a chart
"Urine culture grew more than 100,000 colonies of gram-negative bacteria."
At a glance
| Spanish | bacteria |
|---|---|
| Also written | bacteria, bacterial |
Related terms
infectious disease
An illness caused by a germ such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite.
pathogen
A germ, such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite, that can cause disease.
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a staph bacterium that many common antibiotics cannot kill.
antibiotic
A drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.