Infections What is the difference between a bacterial infection and a viral infection? The difference between a bacterial infection and a viral infection can make the difference between a life-threatening condition and a harmless one, so you might want to read on. Bacterial infections are caused by bacteria and viral infections are caused by viruses. Okay, simple enough. Some ailments, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and diarrhea, can be caused by either type of pathogen (dangerous microscopic organisms). Viral illnesses may cause body aches and fever but usually run their course in 7-10 days (with the notable exceptions of AID/HIV and hepatitis). Diseases that result from viruses include influenza, chickenpox, AIDS and the common cold. With two exceptions (AIDS/HIV and hepatitis), more serious concerns are bacterial illnesses like sepsis (bacteria in the blood), bacterial meningitis (bacterial infection in the lining of the brain and spinal cord), bacterial endocarditis (bacteria in th...
