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Bacteria and viruses are microscopic and truly everywhere in massive numbers. There are millions of viruses in the world and billions of bacteria on land and sea. They live inside our bodies, on our bodies, and all around us. There are ten times more of these organisms than human cells.
Friend or Foe: Viruses and bacteria have an important role in our health. Good bacteria live in our gut and help with digestion and food absorption. Beneficial viruses exist on our skin and in our gut and blood, and attack bacteria and other harmful viruses. On the flip side, about 1% of these microorganisms can cause disease and other harm to humans.
Most infections are either bacterial or viral. Common infections caused by bacteria can be most ear infections, strep throat, urinary tract infections, and some sinus infections. Common viral infections include colds, runny noses, stomach bug, coughs, sore throat, COVID-19, and flu.
It is tricky because some virus and bacteria symptoms are similar. Your healthcare provider can determine what type of illness you have and recommend the proper type of treatment.
Antibiotics are great germ fighters, but are designed to treat bacterial germs. There are a variety of diverse viruses, so it is difficult to develop a broad-spectrum antiviral drug, although some exist.
Why are antibiotics are a good treatment for bacterial infections, but not for viruses (including colds, covid, flu):
Bacteria are freely living cells that can live either inside or outside the body. Antibiotics will attack the cell wall of a bacteria to destroy it, and not allow it to reproduce.
Viruses are considered a non-living group of molecules that cannot reproduce or survive without a host. They attach to a healthy cell and reprogram it to replicate. Viruses have a protective protein coating and do not have a cell wall; therefore, antibiotics are ineffective and do not work.
Knowing when to take an antibiotic is tricky. Viral and bacterial infections can have similar symptoms, so it is important to see your healthcare provider to test urine, sputum, stool, or blood. They will also take a swab from your nose or throat.
Taking antibiotics can increase medication-resistant bacteria, so taking an antibiotic when it is unnecessary, just increases the chance for bacteria to resist the medication. If these bacteria spread to others, it can become a widespread health crisis. Today, these medication-resistant bacteria make it harder to treat diseases that were once easy to treat.
There are some antivirals available, but need to be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. They may reduce the severity and duration of viruses.
Try the following remedies:
Drink fluids
Get lots of rest
Use throat spray or lozenges
Use a saline nasal spray
Run a cool or warm humidifier
For symptom relief, ask your pharmacist about non-prescription medications
The immune system is your best protection, because it releases chemicals that can trigger virus-fighting cells to fight the virus. This is why it is important to have a healthy immune system.
There are cases where viral infections can turn into secondary bacterial infections. After several days with a virus, if you notice your temperature spiking again or you start to feel more ill, check with your healthcare provider to see if you are getting a secondary bacterial infection which you may need an antibiotic immediately. Secondary bacterial infections have been seen with viral upper respiratory infection or pneumonia, influenza, and Covid.
The future is bright in the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses. Research is currently underway on ways to re-engineer the deadly design of bacteria and viruses so they do not replicate and spread.
Vaccines help by providing our immune system important parts of the virus so that the immune system can be ready to fight the virus. Through studying the life cycle of a virus and how viruses are detected by the immune system, scientists can develop ways to target and treat virus without needing a vaccine.
Please remember to keep a safe distance from others, wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, avoid touching your face, and stay home when sick.
Be safe and healthy this winter.
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