Do you know how to differentiate bacteria from virus?
Bacteria - are much bigger than viruses. Most bacteria measure from 0.1 microns to 10 microns (a micron is one millionth of a meter).
Viruses - usually range from 0.02 microns to 0.2 microns. If you take average virus to assume the size of a human being, the average bacteria would be as large as ten-story building! Viruses are so tiny that they can only be seen through an electron microscope.
Bacteria - are more complex organisms. They are living entities and have all the necessary genetic machinery to reproduce by themselves. They do this by splitting into 2 cells once every 20-30mins.
Viruses - are often classified as non-living and cannot reproduce by themselves. A virus only has a protein coat and a limited amount of genetic material, which is either DNA or RNA.
The virus reproduces by invading a host cell and hijacking the host's machinery. The host then becomes a virus-making machine, churning out new viruses that infect other host cells. Some viruses can stay dormant inside host cells for long periods of time, causing no visible changes until they are stimulated.
How do Bacteria and Viruses spread?
The main routes for bacterial infections are usually through food sources or fecal-oral contact (such as Salmonella poisoning), water (cholera), sexual (gonorrhea) and respiratory transmission.
As for viral infections, respiratory transmissions are a very common route for viruses. Most often, viruses that cause upper respiratory distress, such as influenza, travel via tiny respiratory droplets - the minute amounts of fluid that exit your nose and mouth while you cough or sneeze.
Some viruses, such as Ebola virus, may move widely through the air. In any circumstances, viral infections such as HIV, which causes AIDS, may be transmitted through the blood or through sexual intercourse.
Many bacterial and viral infections are transmitted through close and direct contact, such as through contaminated hands, which pass the virus and bacteria to the nose, mouth and eyes. In fact, everyday actions like touching door handles and tabletops can cause our hands to become contaminated with these germs.
Some examples of Bacterial and Viral infections:
Bacteria cause:
Food Poisoning
Peptic ulcers
Most ear infections
Strep throat
Gum diseases
Urinary Tract infections...
Skin boils and abscesses
Anthrax
Pneumonia
Tuberculosis
Tetanus
Cholera
Gonorrhea
Botulism
Viruses cause:
Influenza
Most coughs
Most sore throats
Measles
Hong Kong Bird Flu
Taiwan Intestinal Flu
Dengue fever
Chicken Pox
Small pox
Polio
Hepatitis
AIDS
SARS
A link to certain cancers
Do Antibiotics Kill Viruses?
Antibiotics CANNOT kill viruses! Therefore they do not work against the flu, SARS, and other viral infections.
Antibiotics are drugs that kill bacteria and so can be used to treat pneumonia and other bacterial infections. Most antibiotics work by destroying a bacterium's cell wall. This stops the bacterium's ability to reproduce. However, viruses don't even have a cell wall.
Most people tend to take antibiotics for viral infections, not realizing that antibiotics can actually make infection WORSE. By killing the beneficial bacteria, antibiotics create a more conducive environment for viruses. In this case, taking antibiotics is not only INEFFECTIVE but also produces NEGATIVE side effects, some mild, some deadly including bone marrow toxicitym siezures, anaphylactic shock and even death.
The US FDA has warned against misuse of antibiotics, stating that "bacteria and other microorganisms that cause infections are remarkably resilient and can develop ways to survive the drugs meant to kill or weaken them. This antibiotic resistance is due largely to the increasing use of antibiotics."
The super-strains of infectious microorganisms will no longer be killed by antibiotics alone, we may require more toxic experimental drugs to overcome them. So when we really need it, the once powerful antibiotics may be useless.
What Treatments are Available for Viral Infections?
Only a small amount of antiviral medications exist and their effectiveness is limited. Of bigger concern is the adverse side effects of some antiviral drugs. Delirium, agitation, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, bronchitis and seizures are some of the reported side effects.
Scientists from University of Leicester caution against the use of antiviral drugs as they may cause severe toxicity, which is especially dangerous for pregnant women as these drugs may produce birth defects.
There is nothing like IMMUNE SYSTEM to fight viruses. A properly NOURISHED IMMUNE SYSTEM has all the ammunition necessary to defend the body against infections!
Read more:
Why IMMUNE SYSTEM is the best doctor in the world?
https://healthywholesomefood.blogspot.sg/2013/08/immune-system-best-doctor-in-world.html
Best Regards,
Joselyne
Nutritional Immunology Consultant & Ultimate Freedom Coach
+65-9090 9942