Short answer: It depends on the individual organism. For example some viruses trigger the immune system to mount a cytotoxic cellular response in which the infected cell is killed. Some bacteria are killed directly by antibodies in conjunction with the complement system. You usually can't differentiate viral vs bacterial infection based on how you feel or what it looks like in the case of a throat infection.
Answered 11/23/2015
1.9k views
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A doctor has provided 1 answer
8 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
A doctor has provided 1 answer
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.
Ask your question