KATHMANDU: Infections are a common health threat, occurring when harmful microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, or viruses invade the body.

The body’s immune system works tirelessly to defend against these invaders, but the severity of the infection depends on the type of pathogen involved.

While some infections may require antibiotics or antiviral treatment, others can be prevented with vaccines.

This article explores the key differences between bacterial and viral infections, their contagious nature, and how they impact our health.

An infection occurs when a microorganism, such as bacteria, fungi, or a virus, enters the body and causes harm.

The effects of infections are due to the immune system’s response to eliminate the invading organism.

Both bacterial and viral infections can be contagious, and different types of pathogens may lead to varying degrees of symptoms.

Some illnesses may require antibiotics or antiviral treatment, while others can be prevented with vaccinations.

Viral Infection

Viruses are tiny microorganisms, even smaller than bacteria. Like bacteria, viruses are diverse and come in various shapes and structures. However, viruses are parasitic, meaning they require living cells or tissues in which to grow.

Once inside the body, viruses invade host cells and hijack the cell’s machinery to grow and multiply. In some cases, viruses destroy host cells as part of their life cycle.

Bacterial Infection

Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that are incredibly diverse and can have various shapes and structural features. Bacteria can thrive in nearly any environment, including within or on the human body. However, only a small number of bacteria are responsible for causing infections in humans.

While bacterial infection stem from bacteria which are single celled microorganisms, viral infection stem from viruses which are a piece of genetic material such as DNA or RNA coated with protein

Viral transmissions

Same bacterial infection many viral infection are also contagious. They can be transmitted from person to person in many of the same ways such as:

• Contact with the body fluids of a person with a viral infection
• Transmission from mother to child during pregnancy or birth
• Coming into close contact with a person who has a viral infection
• Coming into contact with contaminated surface
• Also similarly to bacterial infections viral infection can be transmitted by the bite of an infected insect or through consuming food or water that has been contaminated.

Common viral infections such as:

• Common cold
• Influenza
• COVID-19
• Chickenpox
• Warts
• Viral meningitis
• Measles
• Viral hepatitis
• HIV ( Human immunodeficiency virus )

Viral infections

Key sign include:

• Fever eases with time
• Fever is uncomfortable but usually not dangerous
• If due to influenza virus (flu) symptoms respond well to antiviral medication (with in first 48 hours)

Bacterial transmissions

Many bacterial infection are contagious meaning that they can be transmitted from person to person. There are many ways such as:

• Coming into contact with surfaces contaminated with the bacteria such as doorknobs or faucet handles and then touching your face, nose or mouth
• Close contact with a person who has a bacterial infection including touching and kissing
• Contact with the body fluids of a person who has an infection particularly after sexual contact or when the person coughs or sneezes
• Transmission from mother to child during pregnancy or birth

Common bacterial infections

• UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
• Gonorrhea
• Tuberculosis
• Lyme disease
• Tetanus
• Cellulitis
• Bacterial meningitis

Bacterial infection

Key signs include:

• Fever can become exceptionally high
• Symptoms lasting longer than 10 -14 days
• Fevers gets worse over time rather than improving

Bacterial vs. Viral infection symptoms

Viral and bacterial infections can cause similar symptoms, including:

• Fever
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Inflammation
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Cramping

Although symptoms are similar, bacterial and viral infections are not alike in many other important respects. That’s mostly because of the organisms structural differences and the way they respond to medications.

Diagnosis

• Physical exam
• Medical history or history of symptoms
• Current epidemics or pandemics in your area
• Recent travel history
• Mucus, saliva, urine or other culture samples

Sometimes your doctor may be able to diagnose your condition based on your medical history and your symptoms.

If your doctors wants to know what type of organism may be causing your condition, they may take a sample to culture. Samples that can be used for culture vary by the suspected condition but they can include:

• Urine
• Skin
• Mucus or sputum
• Blood
• Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF)
• Stool

Treatment

Antibiotics are medications used to treat bacterial infections.

Treating viral infections

There is no specific treatment for many viral infections. Treatment is typically focused on relieving symptoms while your body works to clear the infection.

This can include thing like:

• Getting plenty of rest
• Drinking fluids to prevent dehydration
• Taking OTC decongestants to help with a runny or stuffy nose
• Using OTC pain medications such as acetaminophen(Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to relieve aches, pains and fever.

Antiviral medications

In some cases your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to help treat your condition. These medications inhibit the viral life cycle in some way.

Such as:

• Valacyclovir for herpes simplex or herpes zoster (shingles)
• Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for influenza

Prevention

You can follow these tips to help prevent becoming ill with bacterial or viral infections.

• Maintain hygiene: Avoid touching your face, nose or mouth if your hands aren’t clean. Do not share personal items such as: Drinking glasses, toothbrushes, drinking glasses
• Avoid touching wild animals
• Protect yourself from bug bites
• Cover cough and sneezes
• Avoid contaminated food and water
• Engage in sexual contact only with one partner
• Stay away from people who are sick
• Get vaccinated :

Many vaccines are available to help prevent several viral and bacterial illnesses. Example of vaccine preventable disease like:

• Tetanus
• Measles
• Influenza
• Whooping cough

Complication

• Meningitis
• Sepsis
• Dehydration
• Congenital viral infections
• Pneumonia
• Chronic kidney disease