Viruses and bacteria are not the same: discover how to differentiate and treat them

Most people tend to confuse and think when we get sick that viruses and bacteria could be the same and that is not the case. For that reason in NatureVia we have decided to dedicate an article in which we provide the definition of each of these microorganisms in order to differentiate them.

The only resemblance between both is that both viruses and bacteria are microorganisms and that being so small in size are impossible to see with the human eye unless we use a microscope.

The size of the bacteria even in the case of a microorganism exceeds the size of the virus up to 100 times. Viruses are microorganisms that live inside the cells of human beings, which means that we all have viruses.

The viruses are of different sizes and shapes, reaching to measure the smallest between 18 and 20 nanometers wide, and in a millimeter of space there can be up to 50,000 viruses. This means that they divide very quickly by invading the tissues of a certain organ and thus beginning the infection.

The main viruses that cause colds are viruses that are transmitted through the air when the person speaking has a cold or a cold, when he coughs or sneezes.

These symptoms and others such as nasal mucus, cough, sore throat, nasal obstruction, are caused by the virus being transmitted through the air to reach the nose, pharynx or mouth and when these areas are reproduced inflammation in the areas that we mentioned earlier, thus developing the common symptoms of colds or flu.

exist several viruses that cause catarrh, such as respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, and influenza viruses.

Among the extensive world of viruses are also the viruses that cause gastroenteritis, these viruses are very frequent and in this case the virus is spread through food contaminated by poor handling, food in poor condition, by the saliva of another person with the virus.

The means of transmission of these viruses is the mouth, beginning first through the mouth, stomach and intestine and as a result of the action of viruses these organs become inflamed and painful producing diarrhea and vomiting.

The names of these common stomach viruses are rotavirus and enteroviruses.

Some viruses can cause serious diseases such as the viruses that cause AIDS and hepatitis.

And what tests are there to be able to identify the type of virus? The tests that are carried out to identify the type of virus consist of taking blood samples, making a culture of feces or mucus.

Unlike bacteria, viruses are not treated with antibiotics because antibiotics are not effective in the case of viruses.

Bacteria are also microorganisms and the smaller bacteria can be the size of larger viruses and produce infections in any organ.

Bacteria usually affect or be in a single organ or also be located in the organs closest to or related to that same organ, as could be the case of a bacterial infection in the lung can reach other related organs and close to it as they are, throat and ears.

There are occasions when bacteria could only be found in the blood, this pathology is known as bacteremia. There are very aggressive bacteria that can cause very serious infections to the point of being fatal as is the case of the bacteria called meningococcus.

The most frequent infections caused by bacteria are: pharyngitis, otitis, pneumonia, meningitis, tuberculosis, urinary infection, infection of the lymph nodes, gastroenteritis.

From all this information we can translate that bacteria are more aggressive than viruses and that in the case of bacteria they are treated with antibiotics.

Antibiotics that should always be prescribed by doctors because the inappropriate use of antibiotics makes the bacteria that we normally have in our body become very resistant and when we really need antibiotics, they will be ineffective.

Once the differences have been clarified, we should always remember not to self-medicate ourselves for any symptom or suspicion of having contracted any disease and to go to the doctor to do a good review and prescription of the appropriate medicines to treat the disease. This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor.

Viruses and Bacteria: What's the difference and who cares anyway? - Plain and Simple (March 2024)