- Bacteria are tiny, single-celled microorganisms that can cause diseases. Some common bacterial diseases include boils, styes, and tuberculosis. - Boils are painful bumps on the skin caused by Staphylococcus bacteria that enter hair follicles. Styes are bumps on the eyelids caused by bacteria entering eyelash follicles. - Tuberculosis is a serious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria that usually affects the lungs but can damage other parts of the body.