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In some cases, it can be hard to figure out if a bacterial infection or a viral infection is causing your symptoms. Both infections can cause the same diseases, such as pneumonia, meningitis and diarrhea.
Bacterial and viral infections are transmitted in similar ways, but symptoms and treatments may vary depending on the cause of your infection. Learn the differences.
Viral vs. Bacterial Infection Symptoms. Bacterial and viral infections can cause similar symptoms, including: Coughing; S neezing; Fever; Inflammation; Vomiting; Diarrhea; Fatigue; Cramping
General signs your body is fighting an infection, whether bacterial or viral, include fever, chills, weakness, and soreness. However, you won't be able to know for sure what's causing your symptoms until you get tested.
Bacterial infections are caused by bacteria, while viral infections are caused by viruses. That's the easy part. Differentiating between the two requires medical intervention since both may cause fever and irritability. And the treatments vary significantly.
Infections can occur throughout the body whether caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi. Learn some of the signs and symptoms of an infection.
The main difference between a bacterial infection and a viral infection is that a bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics. A viral infection is usually left to run its course, with treatments often only used to help alleviate symptoms.
However, there are some patterns that can help differentiate between the two. For example, viral infections often start with a gradual onset of symptoms, while bacterial infections tend to have a more sudden onset.
Key signs include: symptoms lasting longer than 10–14 days. fever can become exceptionally high. fever gets worse over time rather than improving. Viral infection.
Examples of bacterial infections include whooping cough, strep throat, ear infection and urinary tract infection (UTI). Examples of viral infections include the common cold and flu , most coughs and bronchitis , chickenpox , monkeypox , COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS .