Many people use the terms virus and bacteria interchangeably, but there are clear differences between them. A virus is much smaller than bacteria and can’t survive without infecting something else—such as cells in the human body. In contrast, bacteria are independent microorganisms that can reproduce independently of other organisms. The distinction between bacteria and viruses also comes into play when it comes to human health because they can affect us in very different ways.
How viruses differ from bacteria
Viruses are very different from bacteria. First, viruses do not have their own cellular structure; they must take over other cells in order to survive. In addition, viruses are much smaller than bacteria—the average virus is just one thousandth of a millimeter (or 100 nanometers) in diameter while most bacteria measure at least 0.2 micrometers wide. Furthermore, unlike bacterial cells which can be seen with light microscopes, viruses must be viewed with an electron microscope since they are so small and delicate.
The anatomy of a virus
A virus is an infectious agent that doesn’t have cells or tissues like bacteria, yeast, and fungi. Viruses can only replicate inside of living cells, which they infect using special proteins called enzymes. Once these enzymes enter our cells, viruses can replicate themselves by hijacking our cell machinery to make copies of their genes. The new viruses then leave our infected cells to go find new ones. Because viruses only live inside of other cells, they are considered intracellular organisms.
How viruses spread
Unlike viruses, bacterial infections are typically spread by human contact. Bacteria can be transmitted via droplets in coughs or sneezes, aerosols like dust, or even through direct physical contact with another person. Additionally, many times when someone has an infection caused by bacteria such as staphylococcus, for example, it can spread to others without them even knowing it. This is known as colonization and means that people carry bacterial infections on their skin without getting sick from them.
Treatments for viruses
Viruses cannot be treated directly because they are not actual living organisms. However, viruses that affect humans can sometimes be controlled by medications to help prevent infection. Most viral infections will resolve themselves on their own, but there are exceptions. For example, hepatitis B or C can require antiviral drugs to clear up symptoms and prevent further health problems down the road. If you believe you have contracted a serious virus, such as HIV or herpes, talk to your doctor about seeking treatment for it.
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