# Infections Cheatsheet | Feature | Viral Infections | Bacterial Infections | |------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | **Cause** | Viruses (need host cells to replicate) | Bacteria (single-celled microorganisms) | | **Examples** | Common cold, Influenza, COVID-19, HIV/AIDS| Strep throat, Tuberculosis, UTIs, Food poisoning | | **Symptoms** | Fever, fatigue, muscle aches, cough, runny nose, diarrhea (sometimes) | Fever, localized pain and swelling, redness, pus, fatigue | | **Treatment** | Antiviral medications (e.g., Tamiflu), supportive care (rest, hydration), vaccines | Antibiotics (e.g., penicillin), supportive care (rest, hydration) | | **Resistance** | Viruses can mutate, affecting vaccine and treatment efficacy | Overuse/misuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance | | **Diagnosis** | Based on symptoms, specific tests (e.g., PCR for COVID-19) | Symptoms, physical examination, lab tests (e.g., blood tests, cultures) | | **Spread** | Person-to-person, contaminated surfaces, food and water | Person-to-person, contaminated surfaces, food and water, animals | | **Common Antivirals** | Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), Acyclovir, Remdesivir, Zidovudine (AZT) | N/A | | **Common Antibiotics** | N/A | Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin | # Tags #health #medicine #infections #viral #bacterial