UK health experts explain dangers of Madonna's bacterial infection and the signs to look out for

US popstar Madonna has been admitted to intensive care for several days after contracting a "serious bacterial infection" on Saturday.

According to her manager, Guy Oseary, the singer is expected to make a full recovery, but she will need to put all her commitments on hold for the moment.

In a post on Instagram, Oseary wrote: "On Saturday June 24, Madonna developed a serious bacterial infection which led to a several-day stay in the ICU (intensive care unit). Her health is improving, however she is still under medical care. A full recovery is expected.

"At this time we will need to pause all commitments, which includes the tour. We will share more details with you soon as we have them, including a new start date for the tour and for rescheduled shows."

Madonna's upcoming Celebration Tour of North America and Europe was scheduled to begin next month in Canada, marking her four-decade-long career.

What are bacterial infections and when can they become serious?

While it's not known how Madonna became ill, doctors say infections are normally can caused by harmful bacteria that enter the body through cuts, bug bites, contaminated food, or when bacteria multiplies in parts of the body where it shouldn't be.

These infections can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, blood, brain, and lungs. While some bacterial infections may cause mild symptoms, others can lead to serious complications, including life-threatening sepsis.

Different types of bacteria tend to infect specific organs. Common bacterial infections that require antibiotics can include pneumonia, chest infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections such as cellulitis.

Symptoms of bacterial infections vary depending on the location of the