Bacteria and Viruses Essay

Total Length: 1326 words ( 4 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 3

Page 1 of 4

What are Bacteria and Viruses?



The most palpable variance between bacteria and viruses is their size. Whereas both bacteria and viruses are too tiny to notice with the naked eye, most bacteria are about one micrometer in length and can be perceived with a good optical microscope. On the other hand, viruses are smaller than the wavelength of visible light, which implies that they can be solely perceived by using an electron microscope (Nursing Times, 2006). Infection, every so often the initial phase, takes place when bacteria, viruses or other microbes that cause disease enter the human body and start to proliferate. Disease comes about and ensues when the cells in the human body are damaged, as a result of the infection, and signs and symptoms of a disease appear.

Causes



Bacterial and viral infections are contaminations caused by bacteria and viruses. Bacteria release toxins into the blood stream whereas viruses damage body cells. Bacteria cause diseases such as strep throat, tuberculosis, and urinary tract infections. On the other hand, Viruses are liable for causing numerous diseases, encompassing AIDS, common cold, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, genital herpes, influenza, measles, chickenpox and shingles. It is imperative to note that antibiotics do not have any effect on viruses (Mayo Clinic, 2016).

How are they Spread?



Bacteria and viruses are spread through different forms. These include the following:



1. By being in close contact with someone who is sneezing and coughing.



2. By being in contact with an infected person, particularly through sexual contact and also kissing.



3. By coming into contact with surfaces or areas that are contaminated, for instance food and water.



4. Bacterial and viral infections can arise from being in contact with infected creatures, such as pets, livestock and insects, for instance ticks and fleas (Web Md, 2016).

Types of Infections



Bacteria and viruses can give rise to three kinds of infections.



1. Acute infections: These are transitory and last for a couple of days to a week or so.



2. Chronic infections: These are infections that can last for several weeks, months or even a lifespan.



3. Latent infections: These are infections that may not indicate any signs or symptoms in the initial stages, but can reactivate over a period of months and even years.



An important element to take note is that these infections caused by bacteria and viruses can bring about mild, moderate and severe illnesses (Web MD, 2016).

Patient and Community Awareness and Safety



Viral and bacterial infections can be easily evaded and stopped. These aspects are important for the patients and the community at large to be aware of. One of the ways of prevention encompasses hand-washing. This happens to be the easiest and most efficacious means to protect oneself from bacteria and viruses. It is imperative to wash hands meticulously prior to eating or preparing food, subsequent to sneezing or coughing, after changing a child's diaper, and before coming out of the toilet. In the same manner, alcohol-centered hand- washing gels can give safety. Secondly, vaccination is another effective way of preventing certain diseases. Several vaccines are provided in childhood, however grownups still need to be regularly vaccinated to avoid some ailments, for instance influenza and tetanus. Last resort is medication to evade some diseases such as malaria (Mayo Clinic, 2016). As pointed out earlier, viruses are also spread through kissing and sex. Therefore, it is imperative to avoid unsafe sex. It….....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


References


Challenge, F. G. P. S. (2009). WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care: a Summary.

Mayo Clinic. (2016). Germs: Understand and protect against bacteria, viruses and infection. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/in-depth/germs/art-20045289

Nursing Times. (2006). Focus -Treatment strategies for bacteria and viruses. Retrieved from: https://www.nursingtimes.net/clinical-archive/infection-control/focus-treatment-strategies-for-bacteria-and-viruses/201283.article

Nuutila, J., &Lilius, E. M. (2007). Distinction between bacterial and viral infections. Current opinion in infectious diseases, 20(3), 304-310.

Web MD. (2016). Bacterial and Viral Infections. Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/bacterial-and-viral-infections#1

Yu, Z., Jing, H., Hongtao, P., Furong, J., Yuting, J., Xu, S., & Venge, P. (2016). Distinction between bacterial and viral infections by serum measurement of human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) and the impact of antibody selection. Journal Of Immunological Methods, 43282-86. doi:10.1016/j.jim.2016.02.014
Related Essays

Public Health Information

What are Bacteria and Viruses? The most basic difference between bacteria and viruses is their size. Whereas both bacteria and viruses are too tiny to notice with the naked eye, most bacteria are about one micrometer in length and can be perceived with a good optical microscope. On the other hand, viruses are smaller than the wavelength of visible light, which suggests that they can only be perceived by using an electron microscope (Nursing Times, 2006). Infection, every so often the initial phase, takes place when bacteria, viruses or other microbes that… Continue Reading...

Nursing Antibacterial Antimicrobial Antiviral Agents

with the host’s biology. Yet in all cases, antimicrobial agents can also harm healthy tissue while allowing both bacteria and viruses to adapt to the antimicrobials. Proper Identification of the Infection Improper administration of antimicrobials can lead to adverse patient outcomes, which is why proper diagnosis precedes pharmacological treatment. Infections also need to be differentiated between infectious versus non-infectious, although in many… Continue Reading...

Genetically Modified Organisms GMO

modified genes inserted into the seeds that yield fruits and vegetables are derived from foreign species like bacteria and viruses (). These bacteria and viruses can cause harm to the human body in the form of sterility, allergic reactions, and deceased livestock. For example, one article noted that GMO corn may change the histological structure of living organisms if they consume it long-term. The animal they experimented on were two albino adult male rats. “Marked ultrastructural changes of some enterocytes with focal loss of the microvillous border were observed. Some enterocytes had vacuolated cytoplasm, swollen mitochondria with disrupted cristae and dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum. Some cells had… Continue Reading...

sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Bacteria And Viruses" (2016, November 30) Retrieved March 29, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/bacteria-and-viruses-essay

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Bacteria And Viruses" 30 November 2016. Web.29 March. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/bacteria-and-viruses-essay>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Bacteria And Viruses", 30 November 2016, Accessed.29 March. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/bacteria-and-viruses-essay