It can be tricky to determine whether a person has a bacterial or viral infection. Both have very similar symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, diarrhea, fatigue, and vomiting. Bacteria and viruses can also both be responsible for causing pneumonia and meningitis. The difference lies in the structure of these organisms.
A virus can only live and multiply inside of host cells. They are basically a RNA or DNA core surrounded by a protein coat. Many viruses have become well managed or long forgotten in modern society thanks to vaccines. Polio and measles have almost become a thing of the past.
Bacteria, unlike a virus, are living organisms and can be found anywhere. Where good bacteria thrive, bad bacteria will be reduced and vice versa. That being said, the largest amounts of bacteria in our bodies are the good kind that help aid in digestion of food.
It is important to know the difference between a bacteria and a virus because they must be treated in different ways. A bacterial infection cannot be treated with vaccines, they require antibiotics. The downside to this is that some bacterial infections become immune due to the overuse of antibiotic medications. Viruses, on the other hand, can be treated with vaccines that target a particular strand.
There is a lot more involved in the world of sickness and disease than these ins and outs mentioned above. When it comes to business sanitation in Central Texas, keep in mind these simple tips to help prevent spreading unnecessary illness in the workplace.
