Viral vs Bacterial Infection
All infections in human beings, animals or plants are the result of two microscopic organism’s attack, Bacteria and Virus. Almost all types of these organisms are pathogens, some more and some less. Pathogens means dangerous microscopic organisms as these are responsible for all types of infections. Mucous membrane is the path through which pathogens, viruses and bacteria, enter into the body. Mucous membrane may be any path like mouth, nasal passages, genital area, cut in skin or any type of irritation like diaper rash. Most symptoms of both infections are same and it is very difficult to distinguish either it is viral infection or bacterial infection.
Viral Infection
Viruses are parasitic in nature. They remain latent when existing in air and not harmful for people in this state. To become active, viruses need some host. The host may be human being, animals or plants. After entering into the body of host, viruses get activate and their process of reproduction and multiplication start automatically. When viruses enter into the host’s body, then attack on body cells and cease all the working mechanism of cells. Now, cells involve with viruses to reproduce and multiply them. In this way, viruses make a symbiotic relationship with body and generate strains in host’s body. This strain becomes the cause of host’s illness. This condition is called viral infection. Common viral infections are chickenpox, AIDS, common cold etc.
Bacterial Infection
Bacteria beside single cellular organisms are asexual in nature. Being asexual, bacteria have capability of self-reproduction, so have no need of host for multiplying. Not all bacteria are harmful for human being or animals. Different types of bacteria increase in different types of environment even in extreme heat or cold while some types make the intestine of human being, their home. Bacterial infections cause pain in specific part of body, in which they enters. Actually, human body release different types of anti-bodies to fight against bacterial diseases. Common bacterial diseases are strep throat, tuberculosis, urinary tract infections etc.
Differences and similarities
- Viruses that cause viral infections, enters into the body by different ways like scarce personal hygiene, coughing and sneezing by infected persons, bite from infected insect or animal.
- There are different ways of entering bacteria into body to cause bacterial infection. These ways may be close contact with an infected person, touching contaminated surfaces, using contaminated water or cuts in the skin.
- Common viral infection symptoms are dry cough, running nose, itching or burning etc.
- Bacterial infections are more painful as compared to viral infections like throat pain, ear pain etc.
- Viral infection last up to ten days and antibiotic could not completely cure these diseases. However, some vaccines are available for treatment of these infections.
- Antibiotics could completely kill bacterial diseases.
Conclusion
Both types of infections, viral and bacterial, can shoot up massively, if left untreated. Therefore, it is very important to distinguish them in order to cure them. No doubt, it is very difficult to discriminate viral and bacterial diseases but complete knowledge about causes, symptoms and treatment could be helpful to make a distinction between them.
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