Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsViral InfectionContagiousBacterial vs. ViralCommon InfectionsDiagnosisHow Do You Treat Viral Infections?Prevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Viral Infection
Contagious
Bacterial vs. Viral
Common Infections
Diagnosis
How Do You Treat Viral Infections?
Prevention
A virus is a small piece of genetic material that looks for a host to live inside and multiply. They are so small, in fact, that billions of viruses can fit on the head of a pin.Unlike bacteria, which can survive on its own, viruses need a living host to survive. When a virus enters the host cell, it takes over the cell’s command center and begins to make copies of itself.
This article provides an overview of the most common types of viral infections, how they are transmitted, prevention, and treatment.
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Viral infections occur when a virus enters the body and successfully takes over a host cell to begin the process of replicating. This can occur at the site of entry, also known as a localized infection, or the virus can spread throughout the body, causing a systemic infection.
It is possible for a person to be a carrier of a virus without showing any symptoms but spreading the virus to people around them.
An Overview of Airborne Viruses
Virus Transmission
In order for a virus to live on within a population, it must move from host to host. This is known as viral shedding.
Viruses can be spread through either direct or indirect transmission:
Bacterial or Viral Infection?
Bacteria work differently than viruses. They can live on their own, meaning they don’t require a host to survive.
Oftentimes viral infections can lead tobacterial infectionsif symptoms persist or worsen.
Both bacterial and viral infections can be treated with medication, though, overall, bacterial infections are more readily treatable. It’s important to follow up with a healthcare provider for testing to determine the cause of illness and treatment options.
How Can I Tell If My Infection Is From a Virus or Bacteria?
Types of Viral Infections
Viral infections can affect different areas and systems of the body, the most common of which is the respiratory system. The following are some examples of common viral infections.
Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections cause diseases like thecommon cold, the flu, bronchitis, andCOVID-19. Common respiratory infections include:
Rash-Causing Infections
Viral infections that cause symptoms like rashes or bumps.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Gastrointestinal Infections
Hemorrhagic Infections
COVID Rash: Explaining Short- and Long-Term Symptoms
Antibodies From Vaccines vs. Antibodies From Natural Infection
Treatments for viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, are few and far between. Some symptoms of viral infections can be treated with medication, but ultimately theimmune systemis responsible for fighting off the virus itself. However, some viruses and viral illnesses, like HIV, the flu, and COVID-19, do have treatments available.
Preventing viruses from occurring in the first place is the best way to stay healthy.
Practicing good personal hygiene and lifestyle habits is another effective strategy toward preventing disease. This includes:
You should also make sure your vaccines are up to date to ensure protection against preventable disease.
Vaccine EffectivenessVaccines are consistently proven to be safe and effective against severe disease and death from many viruses. For example, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be 94%–96% effective at preventing severe illness and death.A study of healthcare workers, who are at high risk for contracting COVID-19 due to their proximity to infected people, found theModerna mRNA vaccineto be 96.3% effective.
Vaccine Effectiveness
Vaccines are consistently proven to be safe and effective against severe disease and death from many viruses. For example, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be 94%–96% effective at preventing severe illness and death.A study of healthcare workers, who are at high risk for contracting COVID-19 due to their proximity to infected people, found theModerna mRNA vaccineto be 96.3% effective.
Summary
There are limited medications effective in treating respiratory viral infections, like the common cold, but there are treatments for others, including HIV and COVID-19. The best way to avoid viral infections is to practice good hygiene and get the available vaccines.
A Word From Verywell
Viral infections are a part of life, and we are all at risk to get one at some point in our lives. Some can be as mild as the common cold, while others can be life-threatening. Viruses can spread rapidly, so it’s important to minimize the risk of transmission if you find yourself sick with a virus. If you do contract a viral infection, monitor your symptoms and seek medical care if they become severe or persistent.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Drexler M, Medicine (US) I of.How Infection Works.National Academies Press (US); 2010.Louten J. Virus Transmission and Epidemiology.Essential Human Virology. 2016;71-92. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-800947-5.00005-3Boncristiani HF, Criado MF, Arruda E. Respiratory Viruses.Encyclopedia of Microbiology. 2009;500-518. doi:10.1016/B978-012373944-5.00314-XWorld Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Children’s National Hospital.Viral exanthems (rashes).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About norovirus.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Issues.What is viral hepatitis?Chi-Chung Cheng V, Fuk-Woo Chan J, FN Hung I, Yuen KY. Viral infections, an overview with a focus on prevention of transmission.Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences. 2016. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.90174-0MedlinePlus.Vaccines - immunizations.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diseases that vaccines prevent.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting your COVID-19 vaccine.Harvard Health Publishing.How to prevent infections.Lin DY, Gu Y, Wheeler B, et al.Effectiveness of covid-19 vaccines over a 9-month period in North Carolina.N Engl J Med. 2022;386(10):933-941. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2117128Pilishvili T, Gierke R, Fleming-Dutra KE, et al.Effectiveness of mrna covid-19 vaccine among U.S. health care personnel.N Engl J Med. 2021;385(25):e90. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2106599
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Drexler M, Medicine (US) I of.How Infection Works.National Academies Press (US); 2010.Louten J. Virus Transmission and Epidemiology.Essential Human Virology. 2016;71-92. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-800947-5.00005-3Boncristiani HF, Criado MF, Arruda E. Respiratory Viruses.Encyclopedia of Microbiology. 2009;500-518. doi:10.1016/B978-012373944-5.00314-XWorld Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Children’s National Hospital.Viral exanthems (rashes).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About norovirus.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Issues.What is viral hepatitis?Chi-Chung Cheng V, Fuk-Woo Chan J, FN Hung I, Yuen KY. Viral infections, an overview with a focus on prevention of transmission.Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences. 2016. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.90174-0MedlinePlus.Vaccines - immunizations.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diseases that vaccines prevent.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting your COVID-19 vaccine.Harvard Health Publishing.How to prevent infections.Lin DY, Gu Y, Wheeler B, et al.Effectiveness of covid-19 vaccines over a 9-month period in North Carolina.N Engl J Med. 2022;386(10):933-941. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2117128Pilishvili T, Gierke R, Fleming-Dutra KE, et al.Effectiveness of mrna covid-19 vaccine among U.S. health care personnel.N Engl J Med. 2021;385(25):e90. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2106599
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Drexler M, Medicine (US) I of.How Infection Works.National Academies Press (US); 2010.Louten J. Virus Transmission and Epidemiology.Essential Human Virology. 2016;71-92. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-800947-5.00005-3Boncristiani HF, Criado MF, Arruda E. Respiratory Viruses.Encyclopedia of Microbiology. 2009;500-518. doi:10.1016/B978-012373944-5.00314-XWorld Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Children’s National Hospital.Viral exanthems (rashes).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About norovirus.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Issues.What is viral hepatitis?Chi-Chung Cheng V, Fuk-Woo Chan J, FN Hung I, Yuen KY. Viral infections, an overview with a focus on prevention of transmission.Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences. 2016. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.90174-0MedlinePlus.Vaccines - immunizations.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diseases that vaccines prevent.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting your COVID-19 vaccine.Harvard Health Publishing.How to prevent infections.Lin DY, Gu Y, Wheeler B, et al.Effectiveness of covid-19 vaccines over a 9-month period in North Carolina.N Engl J Med. 2022;386(10):933-941. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2117128Pilishvili T, Gierke R, Fleming-Dutra KE, et al.Effectiveness of mrna covid-19 vaccine among U.S. health care personnel.N Engl J Med. 2021;385(25):e90. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2106599
Drexler M, Medicine (US) I of.How Infection Works.National Academies Press (US); 2010.
Louten J. Virus Transmission and Epidemiology.Essential Human Virology. 2016;71-92. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-800947-5.00005-3
Boncristiani HF, Criado MF, Arruda E. Respiratory Viruses.Encyclopedia of Microbiology. 2009;500-518. doi:10.1016/B978-012373944-5.00314-X
World Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Children’s National Hospital.Viral exanthems (rashes).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About norovirus.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Issues.What is viral hepatitis?
Chi-Chung Cheng V, Fuk-Woo Chan J, FN Hung I, Yuen KY. Viral infections, an overview with a focus on prevention of transmission.Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences. 2016. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.90174-0
MedlinePlus.Vaccines - immunizations.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diseases that vaccines prevent.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting your COVID-19 vaccine.
Harvard Health Publishing.How to prevent infections.
Lin DY, Gu Y, Wheeler B, et al.Effectiveness of covid-19 vaccines over a 9-month period in North Carolina.N Engl J Med. 2022;386(10):933-941. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2117128
Pilishvili T, Gierke R, Fleming-Dutra KE, et al.Effectiveness of mrna covid-19 vaccine among U.S. health care personnel.N Engl J Med. 2021;385(25):e90. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2106599
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