- Acute Rheumatic Fever
Acute rheumatic fever is a disease that can occur following an infection caused by the Group A streptococcus bacterium. If untreated, a 'strep throat' infection can lead to inflammation in other parts of the body, particularly the joints, ...
- Anthrax
Anthrax is a disease caused by bacteria carried by wild and domestic animals that eat plants. These bacteria can form spores, which allows the bacteria to survive in the environment for a long time. Anthrax is now rare in Australia. Since 2001 ...
- Anthrax information for general practitioners
Anthrax is caused by a spore forming bacterium, Bacillus anthracis. It is primarily a disease of grazing herbivores such as sheep and cattle, which are infected through ingestion of soil contaminated by anthrax spores. The spores then ...
- Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is a poorly understood disease. It is associated with several changes in the vagina including:
less normal healthy bacteria in the vagina (especially ones called Lactobacilli)
the ...
- Bats and human health
What is the risk to humans from bat diseases?
Bats and flying foxes may carry bacteria and viruses which can be harmful to humans.
Although the risk of infection is low, people should avoid handling these ...
- Brucellosis
Brucellosis is an illness caused by infection with a type of bacteria (Brucella). It occurs worldwide but is uncommon in Australia.
- Cholera
Cholera is a diarrhoeal disease caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
- Diarrhoea in Young Children
Diarrhoea is an increase in the frequency, runniness or volume of the faeces. Acute diarrhoea may be a symptom of infection of the digestive system (gastroenteritis) which is usually caused by a virus, but sometimes is caused by bacteria or ...
- Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an infection of the throat and nose caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria. Diphtheria can cause a membrane to grow around the inside of the throat which can lead to difficulty in swallowing and ...
- Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It may be caused by bacteria (such as campylobacter, salmonella and shigella), viruses (such as rotavirus or norovirus) or parasites (such as giardia and cryptosporidium)....
- Haemophilus Influenza type b (Hib)
Description Haemophilus Influenza type b (Hib) is an infection caused by the Haemophilus Influenzae type b bacteria which can cause meningitis (infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord), epiglottitis (internal swelling in the throat ...
- Infectious Diseases
Follow the links below to information on infectious or communicable diseases in general, as well as specific bacterial diseases.
- Legionnaires Disease
Legionnaires disease, also known as legionellosis, is a type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by the Legionella bacteria which are common in the environment and can be found in creeks, ponds and soil. There are various types of ...
- Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a disease that is caused by a number of different bacteria called Leptospira. Leptospira bacteria have been found in both domestic and wild animals. Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil contaminated ...
- Listeriosis
Listeriosis is a relatively uncommon disease caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is widespread in nature and is commonly found in soil, water, mud, vegetation and sewerage. It can also be found in raw meat, raw vegetables ...
- Melioidosis
Melioidosis is a disease caused by a bacterium called Burkholderia pseudomallei, a germ which is found in soil. The disease occurs mostly in tropical areas, including north Queensland, but it occasionally occurs in other places including ...
- Meningitis (all types)
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the thin lining around the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by bacteria or viruses. While some forms of meningitis are mild and resolve without treatment, meningitis can be ...
- Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal disease fact sheet explaining the disease, symptoms and treatment of the disease.
- Meningococcal disease - antibiotics for close contacts of a person with meningococcal infection: ciprofloxacin, rifampicin
Close contacts of a person with meningococcal disease sometimes develop the disease. Some close contacts are carriers of the meningococcal bacteria and can transmit these bacteria to others who may become ill. To decrease this risk, public ...
- Pneumococcal Disease
Pneumococcal disease fact sheet explaining the disease, symptoms and treatment of the disease.
- Psittacosis
Psittacosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Chlamydia psittaci, which is usually transmitted to humans from birds in the parrot family. The bacteria is also found in other species including poultry, pigeons, canaries and sea ...
- Q Fever
Q fever is caused by a bacterium called Coxiella burnetii. People get infected by inhaling the bacteria, usually while in contact with infected animals, animal tissues, or animal products. The main carriers of the disease are farm ...
- Salmonella infection (salmonellosis)
Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) is a type of gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella bacteria. In Australia, most Salmonella infections occur after eating contaminated food but also sometimes after contact with another ...
- Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)
Escherichia coli (E. coli) are bacteria which are present in large numbers in the intestines of humans and animals. Most of these bacteria are not harmful. However, some strains, such as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), ...
- Shigella infection (shigellosis)
Shigella infection (shigellosis) is a type of gastroenteritis caused by Shigella bacteria.
- Staphylococcus aureus infection
Staphylococcus aureus (often referred to as 'staph' or 'golden staph') is a common bacterium. About 30 percent of people carry it either on their skin or in their nose, mostly without it causing any problems. However, sometimes the ...
- Tetanus
Tetanus is caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium, Clostridium tetani. These bacteria are common in the environment and are found in soil, dust and manure. The bacteria can contaminate wounds, where they produce a toxin which causes the ...
- Toxic shock syndrome
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is an illness caused by a toxin (poison) produced by certain types of the bacterium known as Staphylococcus, often known as 'staph'.
- Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that can affect almost any part of the body but most commonly the lungs - called pulmonary tuberculosis. Although the risk of developing TB is low and it is well controlled in Qld, TB hasn't been ...
- Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever are diseases of the intestinal tract caused by the Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi bacteria. Typhoid is rare in developed countries. However, where environmental hygiene is poor, as in ...
- Vibrio Vulnificus Infection
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that occurs naturally in marine and estuarine waters throughout the world. It thrives in warm waters (especially warmer than 18 degrees C) and it is therefore common in tropical and subtropical estuarine and ...
- Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Whooping cough (or pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It can affect babies, children, adolescents and adults. For adolescents and adults the infection may only cause ...
