Whats the difference between a viral infection and a bacterial infection?

the difference is the cause. neither is better or worse to have. viral infections usually have to run their course. bacterial infections are often treated with antibiotics.

viral infection is self limiting, that is it goes away and could re-surface under adverse condition or otherwise. while bacterial infection if properly treated with antibiotics goes away forever and responds to the correct antibiotics quickly.

A viral infection is caused by a virus, a bacterial infection is caused by bacteria. Usually, a bacteria infection is worse, but it depends on what the sickness is. You can't treat a viral infection - it goes away on it's own. For bacterial infections, you would be put on antibiotics or medicine, depending on what it is.

Bacteria are single celled organisms that can invade the body and produce toxins to affect the cells they invade-This is what causes a bacterial "illness." Viruses are not technically alive, as they are composed simply of DNA in a protein coat. The virus injects it's DNA into a cell, taking control of it. It's DNA divides, and the virus then orders the cells to create new protein coats to surround the new DNA, before the virus causes the cell to break down, releasing the newly created viruses to invade more cells. Most infections can be cured with antibiotics, but it is very important that you take the right kind. Antibacterial antibiotics won't cure a viral infection, and vice-versa. It's also important to note that not all viral infections can be cured with antibiotics. It's not whether it's a viral or a bacterial infection that affects how bad it is. It depends on two factors: A)The bacteria or virus that is causing the infection; Rhinovirus (Which causes colds) is not nearly as bad as HIV, for instance. Both viruses and bacteria can cause conjunctivitis, but the only difference is the viral infection causes a watery discharge while the bacterial variety causes a sticky yellow one. B)The person-Strength of immune system causes great differences in severity of symptoms, which is why a virus that barely affects one person can make another person suffer.