Virus vs. Bacteria vs. Fungi: How Do These Germs and Their Infections Differ From One Another?

Infections typically occur when microorganisms, such as viruses, fungi, or bacteria, enter the body of a person and cause harm.

Pathogen Types

The exact spread and effect of infections may vary from type to type. While the immune system is a strong barrier that combats agents of infection, there are instances where pathogens could overwhelm the ability of the immune system to fight them. When this happens, infections end up being harmful.

There are certain pathogens that have minimal effects. There are also others that produce inflammatory substances or toxins that make the body respond negatively. Such variations mean that infections could be barely noticeable, while others could be serious and even life-threatening. There are also pathogens that resist treatment.

Fungi, viruses, bacteria, and parasites are all types of pathogens. There are also other kinds of pathogens. They are different from each other when it comes to shape, size, function, behavior within the body, and genetic content. Treatment may also vary depending on the cause of infection.

Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi

Bacterial Infections

Single-celled microorganisms called prokaryotes make up bacteria. According to experts, there is at least 1 nonillion (30 zeros) of bacteria across the planet. Much of the biomass of the Earth consists of bacteria.

Bacteria have three primary shapes, namely spherical (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli), and spiral (spirilla). These bacteria can dwell in virtually any kind of environment, from extreme cold to extreme heat. There are even bacteria that can live in radioactive waste.

Some bacterial strains lead to disease in humans. However, there are also some that live within the human body, such as the gut, and do not pose any harm. There are also some "good" bacteria that attack "bad" ones.

Some bacterial infections are pneumonia, otitis media, bacterial meningitis, food poisoning, gastritis, skin infections, sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections, and eye infections.

Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. However, there are strains that are resistant and that can survive despite being attacked by treatment.

Viral Infections

Viruses can also lead to infections known as viral infections. While there are millions of different viruses, only around 5,000 types have been identified by researchers. These viruses have a tiny genetic code piece, a protein coat, and some lipid molecules.

These pathogens invade a host and link themselves up to a cell. Upon entering a cell, they expel their genetic content. The material makes the cell replicate the virus, leading to the multiplication of the virus. When the cell ends up dying, new viruses are released. These infect other cells.

However, not every virus ends up destroying their host cell. There are certain ones that alter cell function. Certain viruses, such as HPV (human papillomavirus), could lead to cancer by forcing the uncontrolled replication of cells.

Viruses can stay dormant for a certain period before they multiply once more. A person who gets a viral infection may appear to be fully recovered, but then get ill again once the virus reactivates.

Some viral infections include warts, the common cold, encephalitis, gastroenteritis, and COVID-19. Symptoms of some viruses can be relieved by antiviral treatments. This could either prevent the reproduction of the virus or boost the immune system of the host in order to counter the virus' effects. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.

Fungal Infections

A fungus is typically a parasite with multiple cells that can decay and take in organic matter through an enzyme. There are also single-celled types of fungi.

Fungi typically reproduce by the spreading of spores with single cells. There are around 5.1 million fungus species all over the world.

Several fungal infections surface on the skin's upper layers, while some move to the deeper tissues. At times, mold spores and inhaled yeast can lead to fungal infections.

Rashes could also indicate skin fungal infections.

People who use antibiotics for prolonged periods, have a weaker immune system, and have gone through a transplant have a higher risk of getting a fungal infection. Examples of fungal infections include ringworm, valley fever, candidiasis, histoplasmosis, and some eye infections.

Some Key Differences

The most distinguishable feature that sets viruses, bacteria, and fungi apart from each other is size. While mushroom, which is a fungus, can typically be held with the hand and seen with bare eyes, bacteria and viruses are not visible to the naked eye. Viruses roughly have a size of 0.025 to 0.35 micrometers, while bacteria are around 0.3 to 5 micrometers big.

When it comes to anatomy, the structure of viruses is relatively simple. As mentioned earlier, they have a core that consists of genetic material. On the other hand, bacterial structures are more complex, as they can come as spirals, spheres, and rods. These pathogens are also unicellular organisms, unlike viruses, which are not considered life forms. Unlike both viruses and bacteria, fungi contain other elements of cells. They are also classified as eukaryotes, not belonging to either animal or plant classifications.

Viruses, bacteria, and fungi also differ when it comes to where they feel at home, their reproduction, and how they make humans ill.

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