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 cause disease enter the human body and start to multiply. 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 poisons known as 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 capable of causing numerous diseases including AIDS, the common cold, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, genital herpes, influenza, measles, chickenpox and shingles. It is important 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 short-lived 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 return over a period of months and even years.

An important trait to take note of 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 avoided and stopped. These facts are important for the patients and the community at large to be aware of. One of the ways of to prevent them involves hand-washing. This happens to be the easiest and most effective means to protect oneself from bacteria and viruses. It is important to wash hands very well prior to eating or preparing food, and after sneezing or coughing, changing a child's diaper, and before coming out of the toilet. In the same manner, alcohol-centered hand- washing gels can aid 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. The last resort is medication to evade some diseases such as malaria... As pointed out earlier, viruses are also spread through kissing and sex. Therefore, it is important to avoid unsafe sex. It is recommended that people make use of condoms. Diseases such as HIV and AIDS are transmitted from unsafe sex and oral sex. These viruses can be transmitted through oral means if the individuals have cuts and bruises in their mouths and therefore viruses can access their blood stream (Mayo Clinic, 2016).

Adverse Outcomes

The adverse outcomes of coming into contact with the previously mentioned bacteria and viruses are as diverse as the viruses themselves. Still, there are some points in common between the outcomes for these viruses and bacteria of which people should be aware. The most drastic of these outcomes is death, which can be quite painful in some instances. Death typically happens when people fail to treat the infections caused by the bacteria and viruses detailed in this document. In some cases, that death can be extremely painful for people who have contacted Ebola hemorrhagic fever, genital herpes, the measles, or strep throat. Also, certain bacteria have limited (or no) treatment to prevent death, such as AIDS and specific cases of Ebola. The vast majority of bacterial and viral infections are treatable, yet still cause adverse outcomes during the course of the treatment. The most serious of these are long-term, chronic symptoms. For instance, genital herpes is a chronic condition which people can make less severe by treating, but which never goes away. Most of the adverse outcomes for bacterial and viral infections are occurrences of the symptoms which accompany these specific bacteria or virus. These can include painful sores, rashes, low grade fevers, physical weakness, loss of energy, and tenderness and pain to the infected area. Urinary tract infections can result in frequency of urination as well as these other symptoms. The longer these symptoms are untreated, the worse the outcomes of these infections become.

Vulnerable Populations

The overall nature of bacteria and viruses is so widespread that virtually anyone is at risk to them. However, there are certain populations that are more at risk for contacting specific bacteria and viruses than others are. Children in particular are vulnerable to the most widespread viruses which include the common cold, influenza, chickenpox and the measles. It is easy for these viruses to transmit between children in places in which they regularly gather, such as at schools or in recreational centers. Additionally, adults who work in these areas are also at risk for contracting these viruses simply by spending so much time with children. This population is vulnerable because children are not always as conscious of general cleanliness, which can greatly affect the spread of these viruses. Populations that are sexually active are vulnerable to viruses related to sex. These include HIV, AIDS, genital herpes, and other forms of herpes as well. These viruses can be easily limited by engaging in protected sex. It is difficult to categorize the populations which are at risk of the other bacteria and viruses discussed in this paper. These generally include people who are exposed to people who already have these bacteria and viruses, and who spend a fair amount of time in their surroundings.

Distinction between Bacterial and Viral Infections

The difference between acute infections of bacterial or viral causes is clinically essential, but…