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Bacteria cause bacterial infections. Viruses cause viral infections. Antibiotic medicines kill or keep many bacteria from growing but don't treat viruses. Antiviral medicines help the body clear out some viruses. Bacteria. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms. They can live in many different types of environments.
Infectious diseases can be caused by: Bacteria. These one-cell organisms are responsible for illnesses such as strep throat, urinary tract infections and tuberculosis. Viruses. Even smaller than bacteria, viruses cause a multitude of diseases ranging from the common cold to AIDS. Fungi.
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. These medicines usually stop a virus from making copies of itself. They also may stop a virus from going into or leaving a cell. Fungi. There are many types of fungi.
Symptoms. Acute sinusitis symptoms often include: Thick, yellow or greenish mucus from the nose, known as a runny nose, or down the back of the throat, known as postnasal drip. Blocked or stuffy nose, known as congestion. This makes it hard to breathe through the nose. Pain, tenderness, swelling and pressure around the eyes, cheeks, nose or ...
Other infections, such as the flu and polio, can lead to long-term illness. But the virus that causes COVID-19 has only been studied since it began to spread in 2019. So, research into the specific effects of long-term COVID-19 symptoms continues. Researchers do think that post-COVID-19 syndrome can happen after an illness of any severity.
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 consuming contaminated food or water.
A fungal infection may cause myocarditis, particularly in people with weakened immune systems. Fungal infections linked to myocarditis include yeast infections, such as candida; molds, such as aspergillus; and histoplasma, often found in bird droppings. Myocarditis also may be caused by: Certain medicines or illegal drugs.
Encephalitis (en-sef-uh-LIE-tis) is inflammation of the brain. It can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, or by immune cells mistakenly attacking the brain. Viruses that can lead to encephalitis can be spread by insects such as mosquitos and ticks. When inflammation is caused by an infection in the brain, it's known as infectious ...
Laboratory tests. Many infectious diseases have similar signs and symptoms. Samples of body fluids can sometimes reveal evidence of the particular microbe that's causing the illness. This helps the doctor tailor treatment. Blood tests. A technician obtains a sample of blood by inserting a needle into a vein, usually in the arm. Urine tests.
Signs and symptoms common in children include: Ear pain, especially when lying down. Tugging or pulling at an ear. Trouble sleeping. Crying more than usual. Fussiness. Trouble hearing or responding to sounds. Loss of balance. Fever of 100 F (38 C) or higher.