Bacterial diseases are a frequent topic in NEET, AIIMS, and CBSE Biology exams. Learning them with a mnemonic makes memorization easier and faster — especially when the list is long and confusing.
This article provides:
- A complete list of major bacterial diseases
- Mnemonic to easily remember them
- Details about each disease
- NEET-focused facts, symptoms, and causative bacteria
🎯 Trick to Learn Bacterial Diseases Easily
🧠 Mnemonic:
“Pandit Dya Thakur Ca Tika Lgya Neu Hai”
Breakdown:
| Code | Disease |
|---|---|
| P | Plague |
| D | Diphtheria |
| T | Typhoid |
| C | Whooping Cough |
| T | Tetanus |
| L | Leprosy |
| N | Pneumonia |
| C | Cholera |
List of Bacterial Diseases with Details
1. Plague
- Causative Agent: Yersinia pestis
- Transmission: Flea bites, rodents
- Symptoms: Fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes (buboes)
2. Diphtheria
- Causative Agent: Corynebacterium diphtheriae
- Transmission: Respiratory droplets
- Symptoms: Sore throat, thick gray membrane in throat, breathing difficulty
💉 Prevented by DPT vaccine
3. Typhoid
- Causative Agent: Salmonella typhi
- Transmission: Contaminated food/water
- Symptoms: High fever, weakness, abdominal pain, constipation
🧪 Diagnosed via Widal test
4. Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
- Causative Agent: Bordetella pertussis
- Transmission: Airborne droplets
- Symptoms: Severe cough ending in a "whoop" sound
💉 Covered in DPT vaccine
5. Tetanus
- Causative Agent: Clostridium tetani
- Transmission: Through wounds, soil contamination
- Symptoms: Muscle stiffness, lockjaw
💉 Tetanus toxoid (TT) injection is preventive
6. Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease)
- Causative Agent: Mycobacterium leprae
- Transmission: Prolonged close contact
- Symptoms: Skin lesions, nerve damage, loss of sensation
📌 India runs NLEP (National Leprosy Eradication Program)
7. Pneumonia
- Causative Agent: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae
- Transmission: Airborne droplets
- Symptoms: Cough, chest pain, fever, difficulty breathing
🧠 Common in immunocompromised individuals and elderly
8. Cholera
- Causative Agent: Vibrio cholerae
- Transmission: Contaminated water
- Symptoms: Severe diarrhea, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance
🚰 Prevention through safe drinking water and hygiene
Table: Summary of Bacterial Diseases
| Disease | Bacteria Name | Transmission Mode | Key Symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plague | Yersinia pestis | Flea/rodent bite | Fever, swollen lymph nodes |
| Diphtheria | Corynebacterium diphtheriae | Respiratory droplets | Throat infection |
| Typhoid | Salmonella typhi | Contaminated food/water | Fever, weakness |
| Whooping Cough | Bordetella pertussis | Airborne droplets | Severe cough |
| Tetanus | Clostridium tetani | Wound contamination | Muscle spasms |
| Leprosy | Mycobacterium leprae | Prolonged contact | Skin patches, numbness |
| Pneumonia | Streptococcus pneumoniae | Respiratory droplets | Chest pain, fever |
| Cholera | Vibrio cholerae | Waterborne | Diarrhea, dehydration |
Why Mnemonics Work for NEET Biology
- Simplify long lists into memorable phrases
- Useful for rapid revision
- Improve recall in MCQs and assertion-reason questions
Quick Tip:
Revise “Pandit Dya Thakur Ca Tika Lgya Neu Hai” before entering your NEET exam!
FAQs on Bacterial Diseases
Q1. What is the causative agent of typhoid?
A1. Salmonella typhiQ2. Which bacterial disease spreads via fleas?
A2. Plague (Yersinia pestis)Q3. Which diseases are covered by the DPT vaccine?
A3. Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough), TetanusQ4. Which bacterial disease affects nerves and skin?
A4. Leprosy
