Viruses are responsible for causing many diseases, including: Common cold. Influenza. Measles. Chickenpox and shingles. Coronavirus disease 2019, also called COVID-19. Antibiotics kill or block activities bacteria need to live or grow, but antibiotics don't work on viruses. Medicine that treats viral infections is called an antiviral.
Viruses that become resistant to antivirals have affected treatment, including for genital herpes, HIV and, in 2008, for influenza (flu). Treating and preventing bacterial and viral infections In some cases, it can be hard to figure out if a bacterial infection or a viral infection is causing your symptoms.
Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites are examples of organisms that can cause illness. Many organisms live in and on our bodies. They're too small to see with the eyes. And they're often harmless or even helpful. But under certain conditions, some organisms can cause disease. Some infectious diseases can pass from person to person.
Influenza viruses are constantly changing, with new strains appearing often. A person's first flu infection gives some long-term protection against similar strains of flu. But the vaccines offered each year are made to match the flu virus strains that are most likely to spread that season.
No. Viruses can only spread between living beings and can't travel on radio waves and mobile networks. Most often, this myth calls out 5G mobile networks. But the COVID-19 virus has spread in many countries that lack 5G mobile networks. Avoiding exposure to or use of 5G networks doesn't prevent infection with the COVID-19 virus.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and seasonal flu have many similarities and differences. Find out what to know and how to protect yourself from these diseases.
Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection that includes signs and symptoms such as watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever. The most common way to develop viral gastroenteritis — often called stomach flu — is through contact with an infected person or by ...
