A 48-year-old member asked:
What si the difference between a viral and bacterial infection?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Stuart Hickersonanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Bacteria are cells: Bacteria are cells, they are living and have a cell wall. Viruses consist of dna, or RNA usually with proteins around the nuclear material, but
they do not have a cell wall. Viruses are about 1/10th the size of a bacteria. Bacteria cause infection by causing an inflammatory response while viruses get inside your cells
then replicate and cause problems.From the inside out of your cells.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 33-year-old member asked:
What is the difference between how viral infections and bacterial infections affect the body?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Sewa Leghaanswered
Medical Oncology 52 years experience
Ggod question!: There are some clear differences, which one ought to know. Most virus infections cause a short illness of 3-5 days and then go away on their own. We do not have good antibiotics against the virus(this is typical scenario for upper respiratory infections(one of the common infections). Bacterial infections are more serious and definitely require antibiotics, otherwise you will get very sick , ending.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Glenwood, MN
A 36-year-old female asked:
How can I tell the difference between a viral versus a bacterial infection?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Kleinanswered
Family Medicine 23 years experience
Often timing or test: There are many different types of viral infections and bacterial infections so it depends on location. by type of infection:
sore throat: bacteria can easily be identified with an office test. if negative usually viral
sinusitis: after a cold is going on for 7+ days and getting better, suddenly gets worse
pneumonia: doctor exam, x-ray, culture
flu (viral): type of symptoms, office test
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Singapore
A 18-year-old female asked:
What is the difference between viral infection and bacterial infection? I'm currently having viral infection according to my doctor.
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. David Barrereanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 11 years experience
Virus v Bacteria: The simple answer, and not trying to sound flip, is that viruses causes viral illnesses, bacteria cause bacterial infections. Antibiotics can help with bacterial infections, but only some antiviral medications are available to help with the course of some viral illnesses. Most viral illnesses just have to run their course.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Are bacterial infections more dangerous than viral?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Andres R Villaranswered
Pediatrics 42 years experience
Not necessarily: A viral infection could be just as fulminant, severe and devastating.The viral or bacterial load, coexisting factors, age of the patient, additional medical problems, etc ate more tell telling of the seriousness of an infection...Bacterial infection usually require antibiotic, viral infections are usually treated symptomatically, but could require antiviral meds.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 10, 2014
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