What is the difference between viruses and infections

Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that thrive in many different types of environments. Some varieties live in extremes of cold or heat.

Others make their home in people's intestines, where they help digest food. Most bacteria cause no harm to people, but there are exceptions.

Inappropriate use of antibiotics has helped create bacterial diseases that are resistant to treatment with different types of antibiotic medications.

Viruses are even smaller than bacteria and require living hosts — such as people, plants or animals — to multiply. Otherwise, they can't survive. When a virus enters your body, it invades some of your cells and takes over the cell machinery, redirecting it to produce the virus.

In some cases, it may be difficult to determine whether a bacterium or a virus is causing your symptoms. Many ailments — such as pneumonia, meningitis and diarrhea — can be caused by either bacteria or viruses. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expertise on managing health.

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Using condoms or other barrier methods can help prevent getting sexually transmitted diseases STDs. Limiting your number of sexual partners has also been shown to reduce your risk of getting an STD. Make sure all meats are cooked to the proper temperature. Be sure to thoroughly wash any raw fruits or vegetables before eating.

Bacteria and viruses cause many common infections, and these infections can be transmitted in many of the same ways. Sometimes your doctor can diagnose your condition by a simple physical examination. Other times, they may need to take a sample to culture to determine if a bacterial or viral infection is causing your illness. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Treatment of viral infections focuses on treating symptoms while the infection runs its course. Although in some cases, antiviral medications may be used.

This germophobe blesses us with her ultimate guide to getting through public restrooms unscathed by restroom nasties. There are several types of viral disease, depending on the underlying virus. A viral fever is a high body temperature that accompanies many viral infections.

Antibiotics are powerful, life-saving medications used to fight infections caused by bacteria. They decrease or kill the growth of bacteria in your…. Find out how they compare to flu or hay fever, emergency symptoms, and…. The risk of getting a false positive result for COVID is relatively low but false negatives are common.

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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Dr. How are bacterial infections transmitted? What are common bacterial infections? How are viral infections transmitted? What are common viral infections? Is my cold bacterial or viral? Is my stomach bug bacterial or viral? More information about differences between flu and COVID is available in the different sections below. Because some of the symptoms of flu, COVID, and other respiratory illnesses are similar, the difference between them cannot be made based on symptoms alone.

Testing is needed to tell what the illness is and to confirm a diagnosis. Both COVID and flu can have varying degrees of signs and symptoms, ranging from no symptoms asymptomatic to severe symptoms.

For both COVID and flu , 1 or more days can pass between when a person becomes infected and when he or she starts to experience illness symptoms. Typically, a person experiences symptoms anywhere from 1 to 4 days after infection. Typically, a person experiences symptoms about 5 days after being infected , but symptoms can appear 2 to 14 days after infection. Older children and adults with flu appear to be most contagious during the initial days of their illness but many people remain contagious for about 7 days.

People who are hospitalized with severe disease and people with weakened immune systems can be contagious for 20 days or longer. Both COVID and flu can spread from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another within about 6 feet. Both are spread mainly by large and small particles containing virus that are expelled when people with the illness COVID or flu cough, sneeze, or talk.

These particles can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby and possibly be inhaled into the lungs. In some circumstances, such as indoor settings with poor ventilation, small particles might be spread further than 6 feet and cause infections. Although most spread is by inhalation, it may be possible that a person can get infected by touching for example, shaking hands with someone who has the virus on their hands or by touching a surface or object that has virus on it, and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.

Both flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID can be spread to others by people before they begin showing symptoms; by people with very mild symptoms; and by people who never experience symptoms asymptomatic people.

This means the virus that causes COVID can quickly and easily spread to a lot of people and result in continual spreading among people as time progresses. Those at highest risk include:. Most people who get flu will recover on their own in a few days to two weeks, but some people will experience severe complications , requiring hospitalization.