Viral Infections - Types and Prevention

Viral infections are caused by viruses and can affect different organs and systems in the body.
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Viral Diseases | Immune System Response | Preventive Healthcare | Virus Transmission | Preventive Measures For Viral Diseases
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Viral Infections FAQ


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What is a virus infection?

What Is a Viral Infection? Viral infections are contagious illnesses caused by viruses. These infections occur when the virus infects you and attacks the cells in your body.

What is a viral disease?

A viral disease is any illness or health condition caused by a virus. Read on to learn more about some of the main types of viral diseases: Not all viral diseases are contagious. This means they aren’t always spread from person to person. But many of them are.

What is an example of a viral infection?

Examples include: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Human papilloma virus (HPV) /genital warts. Genital herpes (HSV). Exanthematous viral infections cause rashes that can appear as bumps or blisters on your skin or spots of blood under your skin. They can also cause respiratory or other symptoms.

What is a viral infection?

Viral infections are any illness you get from a virus (a small germ that uses your cells to reproduce). Common viral illnesses include colds, the flu, COVID-19, norovirus (“stomach flu”), HPV (warts) and herpes simplex virus (cold sores). Many viruses go away on their own, but some cause life-threatening or chronic illnesses.

Why is it difficult to know what causes a viral infection?

It can be difficult to know what causes an infection, because viral and bacterial infections can cause similar symptoms. Antibiotics won't work for viral infections. Misusing antibiotics to treat viral infections contributes to the problem of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics won't cure viral infections. How are bacteria different from viruses?

What should I expect from a viral infection?

What to expect depends on what kind of viral infection you have. You can usually manage less serious infections, like the common cold or skin infections, at home. Other viral infections can cause life-threatening or long-lasting illness. How long do viral infections last? Viral infections can vary a lot in how long they last, for instance:

Viral Infections References

If you want to know more about Viral Infections, consider exploring links below:

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