• Viruses, for example, are unable to reproduce themselves. Bacteria, on the other hand, actually are cells.
• Because viruses and bacteria are different, infections and illnesses caused by them must be treated in different ways. In terms of medication, viruses are treated with anti-viral medications while antibiotics are used for bacterial infections.
• Echinacea/Goldenseal w/Org. Alcohol, Ester C 500mg and Sambucus Immune Support/AF can help your body fight against infections.

One of the most common misconceptions people have about illnesses is that every time their nose runs, they rush off to take some antibiotics. Physicians are partly responsible for this. In times past, prescriptions were written frivolously for any complaint of sickness. Unfortunately, antibiotics are only able to treat one type of infection: those caused by bacteria. Other infections are usually caused by viruses. Let us examine the difference.

Viruses vs. Bacteria

Although viruses and bacteria are responsible for almost all human illnesses, they are different in several key ways. Their mechanisms for spreading are different. Viruses, for example, are unable to reproduce themselves. Instead, they get inside one of your cells. They can do this because they are made up of DNA or RNA (the component responsible for our genetics) which lets them insert themselves.

Bacteria, on the other hand, actually are cells. In fact, they are single-celled organisms which have the power to reproduce on their own using the same process of division in our bodies. Unlike viruses, which always have to find a way inside our bodies, bacteria already exist inside in and around us. Most bacteria aren’t going to cause us any problems, but some cause illness. However, sickness is usually caused by ordinary bacteria ending up in the wrong part of our bodies.

Treating Viral & Bacterial Infections

Because viruses and bacteria are different, infections and illnesses caused by them must be treated in different ways. In terms of medication, viruses are treated with anti-viral medications while antibiotics are used for bacterial infections.

Bacteria, unlike viruses, are considered living organisms. Antibiotics essentially are designed to poison them in order to kill them much as you would use rat or ant poison to get rid of an home infestation. Different antibiotics work in different ways so that they can destroy bacteria based on how they function in the body. Some antibiotics, for example, stop bacteria from making energy out of glucose. Without that energy, the bacteria cannot reproduce and eventually die.

Because antibiotics work by killing bacteria, they do not work on viruses because they are not technically alive. As discussed above, viruses actually hijack our own cells in order to replicate and survive. To fight them through medications, anti-viral medications actually have to interfere with the processes of our own cells, which can be quite dangerous. Other types of medications work by enhancing the immune response to these threats in our bodies.

Determining the Cause

With some diseases, such as AIDS, rabies (both caused by viruses), tuberculosis or syphilis (both caused by bacteria), doctors already know whether a bacteria or a virus is responsible. However, in many cases, doctors may need to do additional testing before settling on the right treatment. The tests usually involve taking a culture from the infected area and then watching to see if the bacteria begin to reproduce. If no reproduction occurs, the cause is a virus.

Since you can’t always make sure that people do their part in avoiding spreading infections, you can be sure to gird up your immune system to combat anything that comes your way. Check out products like Echinacea/Goldenseal w/Org. Alcohol, Ester C 500mg and Sambucus Immune Support/AF to give your immune system the boost it needs.

Viral Infections19 Oct 2008