A naturally occurring protein, called interferon which the body produces to help fight viral infections , can now be produced in the laboratory and is used to treat hepatitis C infections. It is possible to vaccinate against many serious viral infections such as measles, mumps, hepatitis A and hepatitis B. An aggressive worldwide vaccination campaign, headed by the World Health Organization WHO , managed to wipe out smallpox.
However, some viruses — such as those that cause the common cold — are capable of mutating from one person to the next. This is how an infection with essentially the same virus can keep dodging the immune system.
Vaccination for these kinds of viruses is difficult, because the viruses have already changed their format by the time vaccines are developed. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Anthrax is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease that occasionally infects humans. The Western obsession with cleanliness may be partly responsible for the increase in allergic asthma and conditions such as rhinitis. Careful prescribing of antibiotics will minimise the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria.
Aspergillus is a fungus that commonly grows on rotting vegetation. It can cause asthma symptoms. The simplest form of prevention for lyssavirus is to avoid close contact with bats.
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The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Infections. Infections — bacterial and viral. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. How bacteria and viruses enter the body To cause disease, pathogenic bacteria must gain access into the body.
The range of access routes for bacteria includes: Cuts Contaminated food or water Close contact with an infected person Contact with the faeces of an infected person Breathing in the exhaled droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes Indirectly, by touching contaminated surfaces — such as taps, toilet handles, toys and nappies. Viruses are spread from one person to another by: Coughs Sneezes Vomits Bites from infected animals or insects Exposure to infected bodily fluids through activities such as sexual intercourse or sharing hypodermic needles.
Bacteria types Bacteria that cause disease are broadly classified according to their shape. The four main groups include: Bacilli — shaped like a rod with a length of around 0. Illnesses such as typhoid and cystitis are caused by bacilli strains. Liver failure is caused by a disorder or substance that damages the liver.
Most people have jaundice yellow skin and eyes , feel tired Having hepatitis B or hepatitis C or fatty liver disease, or drinking Viruses usually infect one particular type of cell. For example, common cold viruses Common Cold The common cold is a viral infection of the lining of the nose, sinuses, and throat.
Many different viruses cause colds. Usually, colds are spread when a person's hands come in contact with Additionally, most viruses infect only a few species of plants or animals. Some infect only people. Many viruses commonly cause infections in infants and children Viral Infections in Infants and Children read more and older adults.
The most common respiratory infections are upper respiratory infections, which include sore throat Sore Throat Sore throat is pain in the back of the throat. The pain can be severe and is usually worsened by swallowing. Many people with sore throat refuse to eat or drink. Sometimes pain is also felt Some of the most common symptoms of sinusitis are pain, tenderness, nasal congestion Other viral respiratory infections include influenza Influenza Flu Influenza flu is a viral infection of the lungs and airways with one of the influenza viruses.
It causes a fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, muscle aches myalgias , and a general Many bacteria, viruses, and fungi can cause pneumonia. The most common symptom of pneumonia is a cough In small children, viruses also commonly cause croup Croup Croup is an inflammation of the windpipe trachea and voice box larynx typically caused by a contagious viral infection that causes cough, a loud squeaking noise stridor , and sometimes Bronchiolitis usually is caused by viruses.
Symptoms include Respiratory infections are more likely to cause severe symptoms in infants, older people, and people with a lung or heart disorder. Gastrointestinal tract: Infections of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach and small and large intestines.
It is usually caused by infection with a microorganism but can also be caused by ingestion of chemical Rotavirus is a viral infection of the digestive tract that can cause severe dehydration. Typical symptoms include Liver: These infections result in hepatitis Overview of Hepatitis Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver.
Hepatitis is common throughout the world. Hepatitis can be Acute short-lived read more. Nervous system Overview of Brain Infections Infections of the brain can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or, occasionally, protozoa or parasites. Another group of brain disorders, called spongiform encephalopathies, are caused by Once the virus reaches the spinal cord and brain, rabies is The spinal cord may also be involved Others infect the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord meninges , causing meningitis Viral Meningitis Viral meningitis is inflammation of the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord meninges and of the fluid-filled space between the meninges subarachnoid space when it is caused Polio is caused by a virus and Skin: Viral infections that affect only the skin sometimes result in warts Warts Warts verrucae are small skin growths caused by human papillomavirus infection.
Warts are caused by human papillomaviruses. Raised or flat growths appear on any part of the skin. Most warts Many viruses that affect other parts of the body, such as chickenpox Chickenpox Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection with the varicella-zoster virus that causes a characteristic itchy rash, consisting of small, raised, blistered, or crusted spots.
Placenta and fetus: Some viruses, such as the Zika virus Zika Virus Infection Zika virus infection is a mosquito-borne viral infection that typically causes no symptoms but can cause fever, rash, joint pain, or infection of the membrane that covers the white of the eye Some viruses typically affect many body systems.
Such viruses include enteroviruses Overview of Enterovirus Infections Enterovirus infections affect many parts of the body and may be caused by any of several different strains of enterovirus. Enterovirus infections are caused by many different viruses. Spread sexually in sexually transmitted diseases Overview of Sexually Transmitted Diseases STDs Sexually transmitted venereal diseases are infections that are typically, but not exclusively, passed from person to person through sexual contact.
Sexually transmitted diseases may be caused New human viruses sometimes develop from viruses that usually affect animals for example, SARS-CoV Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SARS Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory illness ranging in severity from the common cold to fatal pneumonia.
This happens when the infected animal host comes into close contact with susceptible humans. Many viruses that were once present in only a few parts of the world are now spreading. These viruses include chikungunya virus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Rift Valley Fever virus, West Nile virus, Ross River virus, Zika virus Zika Virus Infection Zika virus infection is a mosquito-borne viral infection that typically causes no symptoms but can cause fever, rash, joint pain, or infection of the membrane that covers the white of the eye These viruses are spreading partly because climate change has resulted in more areas where the mosquitoes that spread the viruses can live.
Also, travelers may be infected, then return home and be bitten by a mosquito, which spreads the virus to other people. When a virus enters the body, it triggers the body's immune defenses.
These defenses begin with white blood cells White blood cells The immune system is designed to defend the body against foreign or dangerous invaders. Such invaders include Microorganisms commonly called germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi Parasites If the body survives the virus attack, some of the white blood cells remember the invader and are able to respond more quickly and effectively to a subsequent infection by the same virus.
This response is called immunity. Immunity can also be produced by getting a vaccine Overview of Immunization Immunization enables the body to better defend itself against diseases caused by certain bacteria or viruses. Immunity the ability of the body to defend itself against diseases caused by certain Some viruses alter the DNA of their host cells in a way that helps cancer develop. Some viruses, such as herpesviruses Overview of Herpesvirus Infections Some common viral infections are caused by herpesviruses.
When the cell is disturbed, the virus may begin replicating again and cause disease. Common viral infections such as measles Measles Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that causes various cold-like symptoms and a characteristic rash.
Measles is caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, hacking cough For infections that occur in epidemics such as influenza Influenza Flu Influenza flu is a viral infection of the lungs and airways with one of the influenza viruses. For other infections, blood tests and cultures growing microorganisms in the laboratory from samples of blood, body fluid, or other material taken from an infected area may be done. Polymerase chain reaction PCR techniques may be used to make many copies of the viral genetic material.
PCR techniques make it easier for doctors to rapidly and accurately identify the virus. Blood may also be tested for antigens, which are proteins on or in viruses that trigger the body's defense.
Blood may also be tested for antibodies Antibodies One of the body's lines of defense immune system involves white blood cells leukocytes that travel through the bloodstream and into tissues, searching for and attacking microorganisms and Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to help defend the body against a particular attack.
Tests are usually done quickly, especially when the infection is a serious threat to public health or when symptoms are severe. A sample of blood or other tissues is sometimes examined with an electron microscope, which provides high magnification with clear resolution. A viral infection can lead to a spectrum of symptoms from Vaccines and immune globulins help the body better defend itself against diseases caused by certain viruses or bacteria.
The process of strengthening the body's defenses is called immunization Overview of Immunization Immunization enables the body to better defend itself against diseases caused by certain bacteria or viruses. Practicing good hygiene habits, avoiding the sharing of personal items, and avoiding close contact with people who have active lesions can reduce your risk of developing a cutaneous viral disease.
Some hemorrhagic viral diseases, such as dengue fever and yellow fever, are spread through the bite of an infected insect. Others, such as Ebola, are spread to other people through contact with the blood or other bodily fluid of someone with the virus.
Lassa fever is spread through inhaling or consuming the dried feces or urine of a rodent with the virus. Some people may need intravenous IV fluids to maintain electrolyte balance. Supportive care to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance is essential. In some cases, the antiviral drug ribavirin may be given. Researchers are in the process of developing vaccines for several hemorrhagic viruses. A yellow fever vaccine is currently available for people traveling to areas where yellow fever is common.
If you live or work in an area where viral hemorrhagic diseases are common, you can do the following to reduce your risk:. Some viruses can infect the brain and surrounding tissues, causing neurologic viral diseases. This can result in a range of symptoms, including:. Many neurologic viruses are spread through the bite of an infected animal or bug, such as a mosquito or tick. Other viruses, such poliovirus and other enteroviruses, are quite contagious and spread through close contact with someone with the virus.
Contaminated objects can also contribute to the spread of these viruses. Getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and taking OTC anti-inflammatories to ease pain or headaches can all help. In some cases, antiviral medication may be prescribed. Polio or severe cases of meningitis or encephalitis may require additional treatment, such as breathing assistance or IV fluids. Practicing good hygiene, avoiding close contact with those who have the virus, and protecting against insect bites can all help to reduce the spread of encephalitis and meningitis.
To reduce the risk of spreading rabies, keep your pets vaccinated and avoid approaching wild animals. There are many viral diseases. Some, such as the common cold or the stomach flu, are minor and go away on their own within a few days.
Others, however, are more serious. Instead, treatment usually focuses on managing symptoms and supporting the immune system with plenty of rest and hydration. Post-viral fatigue is a type of extreme tiredness that sometimes happens after a recent viral infection.
We'll go over its common symptoms, how it's…. A viral fever is an uncomfortable symptom of many viral illnesses. While many rash-causing viral infections are more common in toddlers and children, they can affect…. A viral fever is a high body temperature that accompanies many viral infections. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.
Viral Diseases Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M.
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