Differences Between Viral and Bacterial Infections, Bacteria and viruses are microorganisms that commonly cause infectious diseases to humans. Sometimes, these two types of infections can show the same symptoms. However, bacteria and viruses are genetically different so that you cannot treat the diseases they cause in the same way. So, what are the differences between viral and bacterial infections? Which one is more dangerous?
What are Bacteria?
Bacteria are microbes that belong to the prokaryote family. They have thin, yet hard cell walls and a rubber-like membrane that protects the fluid inside the cell. Bacteria can produce on their own with division. Research on fossils found that bacteria have been existing since 3.5 billion years ago.
Bacteria are able to live in various environments, including in extreme conditions. They can even survive in highly radioactive environments, which humans cannot survive there.
Actually, only less than 1 percent of types of bacteria that can cause diseases. Most bacteria are even necessary for the body, such as Escherichia Coli and Lactobacillus Acidophilus. The important roles of bacteria in the body are to help the food digestion process, fight against microbial infections that can cause other diseases, fight against cancer cells, and provide beneficial nutrients.
Though some bacteria are not dangerous and do not have bad impacts on health, there are some types of bacteria that you have to watch out for since they can cause infectious diseases.
Illnesses caused by bacterial infections are cellulitis, Lyme disease, typhus, tuberculosis, tetanus, syphilis, bacterial meningitis, diphtheria, and urinary tract infections.
What is Virus?
Viral and Bacterial Infections | Viruses are microbes that cannot survive without a host. They are also way smaller than bacteria. Each virus has genetic materials, RNA or DNA. New viruses can reproduce when attached to other living things. When viruses enter the body, they will attack healthy cells and take over the supply of nutrients and oxygen from the healthy cells. Then, the viruses will begin to multiply until the healthy cells die.
Besides killing healthy cells, in some cases, viruses can also turn normal cells into dangerous ones. Unlike bacteria, most viruses can cause illness. Viruses specifically attack certain cells. For instance, particular viruses attack cells on the pancreas, blood, and respiratory system. Viruses also attack good bacteria in the body.
Diseases caused by viral infections are rubella, covid-19, Ebola, chicken pox, flu, cold, dengue fever, polio, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis.
Different Medications for Viral and Bacterial Infections
Viral and Bacterial Infections | Antibiotics are the most commonly used medication for treating bacterial infections. However, constant consumption of antibiotics will make bacteria adapt to the antibiotics so that they will be resistant to the medication. Moreover, antibiotics do not only kill bad bacteria, but also good bacteria needed by the body.
Therefore, doctors and health experts do not suggest consuming antibiotics unless they are extremely necessary. On the other hand, antibiotics are not effective to handle viral infections. For some diseases like flu and herpes, antivirus medicines for these illnesses are already found. However, the use of antiviral medicines is frequently associated with the development of microbes that are resistant to other drugs.
Which One is More Dangerous? Viral and Bacterial Infections
Up to now, there is no scientific proof stating that bacteria and viruses are dangerous for health. Both can be very dangerous, depending on the types and how many of them are in the body. However, in terms of genetic differences, the way bacteria and viruses reproduce, and how severe the symptoms, viral infections tend to be more difficult to treat than bacterial infections. Moreover, antibiotics cannot stop the growth of viruses. Viral and Bacterial Infections
Since viruses are 10 times to 100 times smaller than bacteria, viral infections cannot quickly recover. If viral infections are not really harmful, you can treat it by using cross salt or Sea salt/ Non-iodized salt/Sea salt/0,9%NaCl while Dental Pro 7 for bacterial infections.