Virus VS. Bacteria: Their Differences

Most of us have heard of both viral and bacterial infections.   Both of these organisms can cause infection in the human body.   

Viruses and bacteria are two different types of microorganisms. They both are little things that live in our bodies and cause diseases, but they are by no means similar.

Both viruses and bacteria contain genetic information.  Bacteria contain DNA, while viruses can contain either DNA or RNA. However, they differ in many ways.

Let us take a closer look at bacteria and viruses so that we can understand the differences between viruses and bacteria.

What Is Virus?

Viruses are tiny. So small they cannot be seen without the use of a microscope.  They are even smaller than bacteria. They can have either DNA or RNA as their genome (genetic information so they can make more of themselves).

 A virus can’t survive for very long outside of an organism’s cells, so it has to make sure it gets into one! The virus uses the organism’s cells as its host.  With the machinery of the cell it can make more of itself, replicate, infect other cells and keep going.  This is why viruses cause sickness like colds or flu when they’re passed from person to person!

There has been a long scientific debate as to whether viruses are living or not.  Viruses can “live” as long as they have a host, without a host, they die.  Some viruses can live longer without a host, making them more transmissible than others.

What Is Bacteria?

Bacteria are living things that live everywhere—in the air, in our water supply, and on our skin. They’re also all around us in our homes and workplaces. They can be found in soil, sewage, food and water. 

Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can reproduce both by binary fission and sexual conjugation. Most bacteria have cell walls and are unable to move independently. Within their cell, they have DNA (their genetic material), they can also do things such as metabolize and reproduce, and to put it simply: they’re alive.

Some bacteria are harmful to humans, animals and plants while others help them grow by producing nutrients like nitrogen.

What Makes These Two So Different?

Bacteria are living things and viruses aren’t.

 Viruses are organisms that are not considered living because they cannot survive on their own. Instead, viruses must invade the cells of other organisms to survive; once inside the cell, the virus takes control of its host cell’s machinery and makes copies of itself.  

Bacteria, on the other hand, are considered living organisms with a cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane, as well as DNA and RNA inside.

Viruses are smaller than bacteria.

Bacteria are larger than viruses, with a size that can be up to 1 micrometre (1 millionth of a meter) long. A virus is anywhere from 40 nanometers (0.00004 mm) to 100 micrometres (0.001 mm) in diameter. They’re so small that it’s hard to see them with the naked eye, but you can see the damage they do if you look closely enough!

Bacteria can survive without a host while viruses need a host to survive.

Bacteria can survive without a host, which means they can live on their own and don’t need to infect another organism to reproduce. Viruses cannot survive without a host. They enter an organism to replicate and spread, using the host’s genetic material as they do so.

Bacteria can be killed by antibiotics, but viruses cannot.

Antibiotics can be used to combat bacterial infections, these medications destroy their cell walls or interfere with their ability to reproduce. Viruses rely on the host cell’s ability to reproduce to replicate themselves, so they cannot be killed by medications that target bacteria’s reproductive processes.

Overall, the two may appear to be similar or identical at first glance but they are different in many ways. Their crucial differences make them both a part of our world and a threat to our health. We should take all necessary steps to keep them at bay if we want to lead a healthy life since both viruses and bacteria cannot be seen with the naked eye or any of the conventional medical instruments.  

In order to help prevent viral and bacterial infections, it is important to maintain good hygiene.  Always wash your hands, make sure not to be around others who are sick, if you are sick yourself, maintain your distance from others.   Be sure to exercise and eat a healthy diet to keep your immune system strong.

If you are infected with a virus, there is usually nothing you can do about it besides rest and drink plenty of fluids.   If you get worse, you will need to see your physician.  If you catch it early enough, the doctor may sometimes prescribe an antiviral, but there are side effects that may come with that.  You will want to weigh the risks vs. the benefits.  If you are infected with a bacteria, you need to go to the doctor so that you can get antibiotics to help fight it off.  And, if you do so, you want to make sure that you take the antibiotics exactly like the doctor prescribes, to prevent antibiotic resistance (see my blog and video on this topic for more).

I hope that this helps you to better understand the difference between a virus and bacteria and how they affect the body.   

Remember, learning about the body and how it works, helps you to make better decisions concerning your health!  It’s important to understand how we can take better care of ourselves, when it’s important to go to the doctor and how to avoid things, like getting sick.

To learn even more, check out my video here: