Types of Diseases - Bacterial Diseases: Salmonella and Helicobacter pylori (GCSE Biology)

Bacterial Diseases: Salmonella and Helicobacter pylori

Salmonella

• Salmonella causes food poisoning. Salmonella is a bacterial pathogen that causes food poisoning. It is spread through eating contaminated food. Food can be contaminated by bacteria present on the food, often occurring because food is prepared in unhygienic conditions.
• Salmonella can be prevented. Salmonella is prevented in the UK through vaccination programmes for poultry (chickens). Chickens are vaccinated, and this will help reduce spread of salmonella through herd immunity, which is the concept that if most chickens are vaccinated, then salmonella is unlikely to spread amongst the populations.
• Salmonella causes unpleasant symptoms. Salmonella causes fever, diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps. These symptoms occur due to toxins released by the salmonella bacteria.

Helicobacter pylori

• Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that causes stomach ulcers. The ulcers can cause nausea, vomiting and severe stomach pain.
• Helicobacter pylori is spread through oral transmission. You can acquire this by eating contaminated food or water. Hence, transmission can be prevented by making sure you use hygienic methods when handling food and using clean water.