How do we know if our infection is bacterial or viral?

Symptoms are critical to treatment and avoiding complicationsGetty Images


  • Differentiating viral or bacterial illnesses is important to treat and avoid complications


  • Viruses and bacteria are both microorganisms, but the latter can reproduce on their own


  • Antiviral drugs are usually used to fight viruses, and antibiotics are used to fight bacteria.

this Virus and bacteriaAlthough in both cases they can cause infection in humans, they are two distinct types of microorganisms.In the field of health care it is It is important to distinguish Because the following treatments are different, we can also avoid complications.

Broadly speaking, viruses are tiny fragments of genetic information, RNA or DNA, surrounded by proteins. They require cells from a living host (such as a human, plant or animal) to survive and spread. on the contrary, bacteria They are single-celled microorganisms that can live in many types of environments and can reproduce by oneself.

Viral or bacterial illness: symptoms and treatment

According to the Mayo Clinic, illnesses caused by viruses include COVID-19, chickenpox, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or common cold. Viral sore throats are often accompanied by other symptoms, such as nasal congestion, coughing, and sneezing.

this drug Drugs that treat viral infections are called antiviral drugs and usually prevents the virus from replicating itself. They can also prevent viruses from entering or leaving cells.

However, many antiviral drugs are designed to attack viruses rather than host cells.Therefore, antiviral drugs often require immune system The human body helps eliminate infections.

As for bacteria, some are beneficial, such as those that facilitate the digestive process, but others may cause Urinary tract infections, strep throat, and pneumoniaemphasizing “teach me science”.

People can be exposed to bacteria from other people, food, or the environment, causing illnesses such as strep throat (with swollen glands and high fever), tuberculosis, salmonellosis, and tetanus.

Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria or prevent the activities they need to survive or grow. There are hundreds of antibiotics, but bacteria have natural genetic means to avoid being wiped out.

If disease-causing bacteria become antibiotic resistance, their future treatment may be difficult. In fact, the way citizens take antibiotics may affect the drug’s future effectiveness.

Given the similarities, it can be difficult in some cases to determine whether the cause of symptoms is a bacterial or viral infection.It is also possible for both types of infection to cause the same disease, e.g. Pneumonia, meningitis and diarrhea.

This can be suggested go to the doctor Because based on the symptoms and laboratory analysis we present, he will prescribe the most appropriate treatment.

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