Bacteria Vs. Virus
There are two types of germs that cause most infections in the United States - viruses and bacteria.
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Virus
Viral infections include:
- All colds and flu
- Most coughs
- Most sore throats
- Usually involve several parts of the body
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Antibiotics CANNOT KILL viruses
A virus is an infectious agent, smaller than bacteria, which requires the cells of a living organism to grow or reproduce. Viruses cause a variety of infectious diseases, among them the common cold,
diarrhea, chicken pox, yellow fever, most childhood respiratory diseases and the majority of infections of the upper respiratory passages.
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Bacteria
Bacterial infections include:
- Strep throat
- Urinary tract infections
- Most ear infections
- Some sinus infections
- Are usually localized at a single point in the body
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Antibiotics CAN KILL bacteria IF the bacteria are not resistant
Bacteria are minute life forms which can cause infections in humans. Bacteria have the ability to adapt quickly to their surroundings. Their goal is to survive and multiply.
This ability to adapt to their surroundings is the basis of antibiotic resistance. Surviving contact with that antibiotic allows the bacteria to resist it
in future contacts.
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