Bacterial and Viral Infection Treatment

There are a wide variety of infections that you can be exposed to and it can be difficult to determine which ones are caused by bacteria and which ones are viral. Bacterial and viral infections have many things in common. They are both infections caused by microbes and can be spread just by coming into contact with someone who is infected.

Bacteria lives throughout our body. There are bacteria that help you digest food, destroy bad cells, and even give the body essential vitamins. In fact, less than one percent of bacteria can make you sick. These infectious bacteria can reproduce quickly, secrete toxins, and damage tissue. Bacterial infections should be diagnosed by a physician and may require antibiotics.

Common types of bacterial infections are:

• Ear infection (can also be viral)
• Pneumonia (can also be viral)
• Sinus infection (can also be viral)
• Strep throat
• UTI

Viral infections, on the other hand, can be hard to treat because viruses live inside your body's cells. These viruses take control of your body’s cells and replicate itself. Certain infections can be in your body without making you sick. For instance, a cold sore can come and go, but the virus that causes it still lives in your cells. The diagnosis and treatment of viruses may require certain tests to make sure the right virus is being detected and treated.

Common types of viral infections are:

• Chickenpox
• Cold
• Flu
• Herpes
• Meningitis
• Mumps
• Shingles