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Viral Infections | Viral Diseases, Symptoms,Types and Treatment
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Bacterial Infections vs Viral Infections: Know the Differences
Understanding the term ‘infection’.
When a foreign body or organism enters our body and causes harm, they result in an infection or a disease. This foreign organism uses our body’s healthy cells to colonize, sustain and reproduce itself. These infection causing organisms are known as pathogens and examples include viruses, bacteria, prions and fungi. Pathogens can adapt to our body’s conditions easily and multiply quickly. Bacteria and Virus are two such ‘foreign bodies’ that can lead to infection (called viral infection) and diseases (called bacterial diseases) in humans. So, what is the difference between the two?
What are Bacteria?
Bacteria are tiny microorganisms that are made up of a single cell. They are of various types and have a large variety of shapes and structural features. Bacteria can live in almost every imaginable environment, including inside the human body or on it. The good news is that only a few bacteria cause infections in humans. They are called pathogenic bacteria.
What are the Similarities and Differences Between Bacteria and Virus
SIMILARITIES
- Both bacterial infections and viral infections can be contagious – that is, be transmitted from one individual to another through similar means and via similar fashion.
- Not only that – both bacterial infections and viral infections can be spread by the bite of an infected insect, or via the consumption of contaminated food or water.
- Viral infections and bacterial infections can often have similar symptoms too – owing to which it can sometimes be difficult, at least at the outset, to figure out whether the ailment has been caused by a Bacteria or a virus. In such cases, a ‘culture test’ may be advised by the doctor or medical professional, which is done by taking a sample of one’s blood, urine or stool for inspection and investigation in the Lab.
DIFFERENCES
- Not all bacteria cause infections and diseases, and there are plenty of ‘beneficial bacteria’ as well – such as probiotic bacteria that inhabit our intestines and can promote digestive health. Viruses, on the other hand, are mostly harmful in constitution and cause infections and maladies in humans.
- Unlike bacteria (which are highly resilient and comfortable in nearly every environment), viruses need a ‘host organism’ to survive. Viruses inhabit the host body and utilize to live and flourish.
- Another difference between the two is that bacterial diseases are usually treated by anti-biotics, while antibiotic don’t work for viruses (treatment for viral infections are therefore either anti-viral medication or preventive caution).
Diagnostics and Blood Tests Available At House of Diagnostics (HOD).
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