3.1.3: Bacterial diseases
Not started yet — this one needs some love.
Salmonella food poisoning:
Spread by ingesting contaminated food (or food prepared in unhygienic conditions).
Symptoms: fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea — caused by both the bacteria and the toxins they secrete.
UK poultry are vaccinated against Salmonella to control spread.
Gonorrhoea:
STD (sexually transmitted disease).
Symptoms: thick yellow or green discharge from vagina/penis; pain on urinating.
Caused by a bacterium.
Spread by sexual contact.
Treated with antibiotics (originally penicillin, but many resistant strains now exist).
Controlled by treatment with antibiotics OR use of barrier contraception (e.g. condom).
Common exam mistakes
Salmonella is NOT spread by droplets — it is a food-borne (ingested) infection. Do not suggest covering mouth when coughing.
Salmonella symptoms caused by bacteria AND toxins — must mention toxins.
For farmers: prevent spread by isolating or culling infected chickens — just saying 'wash hands' is not sufficient and misidentifies the target (chickens vs humans).
Gonorrhoea: many strains are resistant to penicillin specifically.