
Learn about pus and what to do if a wound gets infected and contains pus. Bacteria are microbes that are invisible to the naked eye because of their size. You can observe them under a microscope. Read more: Is Pus a Sign of Infection? What Causes It? Article
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Bacterial Infections 101: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments
Get more information on bacterial skin infections, which bacteria cause food poisoning, sexually transmitted bacteria, and more....
-
Fungal Skin Infections: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment
Fungal skin infections and fungal nail infections produce symptoms like red, itchy, circular rashes and thick, discolored, flaky...
-
What Is a Staph Infection? Causes, Symptoms, Treatments
Do you know what a staph infection is? What about golden staph? Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of staph...
-
Skin Infections: Types, Causes, and Symptoms
Viruses, bacteria, and fungi can all cause skin infections. What is scabies? Learn about golden staph infections, cellulitis,...
-
First Aid: Wound Care for Cuts and Scrapes
Wound care treatment at home involves performing cuts and scrapes first aid including cleaning the injury and applying antibiotic...
-
MRSA Infection: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
MRSA and staph infections are caused by a 'super bug' resistant to antibiotics. Learn causes, symptoms, and treatment options of...
-
MRSA Quiz: Infection Symptoms & Treatment
It's the MRSA Quiz! For the carriers among us, you'd be surprised that the infectious superbug is lurking on this body part! Take...
-
First Aid: Bandaging Injuries and Wounds From Head to Toe
Bandaging a wound like a burn, cut, or scrape requires different techniques depending on which part of the body was hurt. Ace...
-
First Aid Quiz: Care for Wounds, Scrapes, Cuts, and Burns
Wound care for cuts and scrapes includes treatment to clean and bandage the injury. Should you use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide,...
-
Mistakes You're Making With Antibacterial Wipes
Antibacterial wipes are a quick and easy way to kill germs when you use them the right way. Learn the dos and don'ts.

QUESTION
Emotional trauma is best described as a psychological response to a deeply distressing or life-threatening experience. See AnswerRelated Disease Conditions
-
How Do I Know If My Sore Throat Is Viral or Bacterial?
It's seldom easy to tell the difference between bacterial and viral sore throats. Find out what the differences are and learn some tips for telling them apart. A sore throat is irritation and scratchiness in the throat accompanied by pain that often worsens with swallowing. The most common cause of a sore throat is a viral infection. Rarely, a bacterial infection can cause a sore throat. Antibiotics cannot treat a sore throat if it is caused by a viral infection. Viruses cause about 90% of sore throats; hence, antibiotics should not be used immediately as treatment for a sore throat. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics such as penicillin if a sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection.
-
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Bacterial vaginosis is an abnormal vaginal condition with signs and symptoms of vaginal discharge, vaginal odor, and vaginal pain. It results from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina.
-
Cuts, Scrapes, and Puncture Wounds
Learn about first aid for cuts, scrapes (abrasions), and puncture wounds, when to see a doctor, if tetanus shots are necessary, and how to spot signs of infection.
-
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) refers to a condition in which abnormally large numbers of bacteria (at least 100,000 bacteria per ml of fluid) are present in the small intestine, but they are more like the bacteria that are found in the colon. There are many conditions associated with SIBO, including: Diabetes Scleroderma Crohn's disease Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) It has been theorized that SIBO may be responsible for the symptoms of at least some patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Symptoms of SIBO include: Excess gas Abdominal bloating Abdominal pain Treatment for SIBO can include: Antibiotics Probiotics Low FODMAP Diet
-
MRSA Infection
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria causes skin infections with the following signs and symptoms: cellulitis, abscesses, carbuncles, impetigo, styes, and boils. Normal skin tissue doesn't usually allow MRSA infection to develop. Individuals with depressed immune systems and people with cuts, abrasions, or chronic skin disease are more susceptible to MRSA infection.
-
What Is the Fastest Way to Heal an Open Wound?
An open wound is an injury that includes an external or internal break in your body tissue, usually the skin. Nearly, everyone experiences an open wound at some point in their life. Mostly, they are minor and can be treated with home remedies.
-
How Do You Get Bacterial Meningitis?
Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Learn more about the signs of bacterial meningitis, what causes bacterial meningitis, when to see a doctor, and how to treat bacterial meningitis.
-
How Do I Know if I Have Bacterial or Viral Conjunctivitis?
The symptoms of bacterial vs. viral conjunctivitis may be similar. But a doctor can easily distinguish between the two.
-
Can Bacterial Vaginosis Clear Up on Its Own?
Learn what medical treatments can ease your bacterial vaginosis symptoms and help you manage this condition.
-
Yeast Infection vs. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV) both cause vaginal discharge. Yeast infection discharge is thick, white, and had a cottage cheese consistency. BV discharge is whitish-gray and is thinner. Vaginal odor, irritation, and pain may also be present. Treatment of yeast infections includes over-the-counter and prescription antifungals. BV treatment involves antibiotics.
-
Basic Steps of Wound Care
After you get the wound and follow all the steps of wound care, you need to observe your wound for a few days till it heals completely. Call the doctor if you feel that your wound has become infected.
-
When Should You Not Close A Wound?
Wounds should not be closed if there is a high risk of infection and in other situations. Wounds may be classified as acute or chronic or open or closed. They may be caused by penetrating objects, nonpenetrating trauma and other miscellaneous causes.
-
When To Not Close A Wound
Wounds with high chances of infection should be kept open for greater than 24 hours or should not be stitched for adequate cleaning and antibiotic treatment to prevent the risk of infection.
-
How Do You Get Bacterial Vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis is a common issue that affects many women. Learn the signs of bacterial vaginosis, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.
-
Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease (NTM, Symptoms, Treatment, Side Effects)
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), most commonly, M. avium complex or MAC, is a mycobacteria that causes lung infections and disease. Nontuberculous mycobacteria are commonly found in soil, air, and water. Examples of how NTM lung infection are transmitted include swimming, using a hot tub (NTM bacteria are aerosolized), or playing with or handling soil. The most common symptoms of NTM lung infection are chronic, dry cough, and shortness of breath. Sometimes the cough may have mucous or blood. Other symptoms of NTM lung disease include fatigue, chest pain, malaise, and weakness. As NTM lung disease progresses, fevers, night sweats, and appetite loss may occur. Treatment guidelines for NTM lung disease depend upon the type and extent of the infection, and the person's health.
-
How Do You Irrigate a Wound?
Wound irrigation is a non-invasive procedure in which a steady flow of a solution is used to achieve wound hydration; remove debris, dead cells, pathogens, and excess blood or other exudates such as pus in an open wound; and assist with a better visual examination. Wound irrigation is one of the most effective methods of wound cleansing.
-
How Do You Treat a Bacterial Pink Eye?
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) may happen when the conjunctiva (the clear tissue covering the white part of your eye and the inside of your eyelids) is irritated by an infection or allergies.
-
Where Does Bacterial Meningitis Come From?
Bacterial meningitis is characterized by inflammation around your brain and spinal cord that leads to dangerous — and sometimes deadly — pressure in this area. Bacterial meningitis comes from person-to-person contact with an infected person.
-
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis?
Signs of bacterial meningitis include sudden onset fever, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, neck stiffness, double vision, confusion, and photophobia.
-
What Are the Categories of Wound Closure?
An open wound can be closed in any of the three ways. These ways are referred to as the three categories of wound closure or three ways of wound healing.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
From 
Healthy Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Subscribe to MedicineNet's Skin Care & Conditions Newsletter
By clicking "Submit," I agree to the MedicineNet Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also agree to receive emails from MedicineNet and I understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet subscriptions at any time.