The reason is because it is a bacterial infection. Bacterial infection are overall generally nastier then viral infections. Bacterial infection are special because immunity usually happens after a much long time, or with antibiotics. Bacterial diseases like Syphilis and Tuberculosis can't be cured, but can only be managed. Bacterial infection s are also quite dangerous because they can munch on several tissues of different systems. Viruses can only infect a specific tissue or tissues. Additionally the toxins emitted by a bacteria can attack have an effect on an even wider range of tissues. A lot of untreated infection can actually end up with you in Sepsis.