We should be lucky to be living in the modern world where most infectious diseases have been identified and treatments are sought for. Furthermore, vaccines have been invented and given to curb certain infectious diseases. While there are many treatments available, patients may be confused by terms such as antibiotics and antivirals as both are used to treat infection. In this DoctorOnCall’s article, we will learn the differences between antibiotics and antivirals. Hopefully, you would not be confused by each of the functions.

Before we understand the differences you may want to know the differences between bacteria and viruses. Bacteria are single cell microorganisms and can survive on its own either inside or outside of a human body. Viruses is a microbe consisting of nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) and cannot survive on its own as it needs cells in humans before making copies of themselves. The way bacteria cause bacterial infection is by multiplying itself within the cell tissues and disrupting the normal cell functions, killing the cells or tissues, producing toxins that damage the cells or causing toxic immune reactions. Viruses cause viral infection by taking control of the cell it infects and cause more viruses to be produced. This will kill the normal cells in the human body. Viruses may cause infection too by causing the infected cell in humans to lose control and become cancerous or change the cell ‘s functions. Generally speaking, antibiotics work on bacteria and antivirals work on viruses.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics aids the immune system to fight infections against bacteria.

Each antibiotic works in a different manner but in general it works by inhibiting cell wall formation, curbing the formation of bacterial protein and inhibiting bacterial growth. It may also directly kill the bacteria.

Commonly used in many kinds of bacterial infections such as skin infections, urinary tract infections, lung infections, genital infections and many more.

Antibiotics are able to cover a wide range of pathogens.

New antibiotics are difficult to make due to antibiotic overuse. Plus, researchers are not able to outwit certain bacteria. To produce or develop new antibiotics is expensive and time-consuming.

Antiviral

Antivirals aid the immune system to fight infections against viruses.

Antiviral works by inhibiting attachment of the virus to the normal cell, preventing the virus from copying genetic material and preventing the virus from producing (replication) more virus.

Commonly used in diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and COVID-19.

Antivirals only treat a narrow range of viruses.

Antivirals are more difficult to develop since they usually damage the host cells which means more health risk for humans. It also has less proteins or enzymes, making development of new antivirals difficult to target. Furthermore, viruses have many different sequences and structures even among the same class, making it antiviral only able to tackle one type at a time.

Although there are differences between antiviral and antibiotics, both do share the same common ground. Both should not be used without prescriptions from a doctor. Both bacterial infection and viral infection cause symptoms that can be eerily similar such as fever and pain. Thus, getting checked by a doctor is the best way to know if a patient is in need of either antibiotics or antiviral to treat the symptoms. Doctors will run thorough checks such as physical examination, laboratory tests like blood tests and imaging tests before ruling out what kind of infection and what medication to be prescribed.

Another similarity is the fact that when both are used in the wrong way or overuse, it can lead to an increase of resistance and emergence of new unidentified pathogens. Furthermore, this can lead to outbreaks which can pose great danger to humans, especially those who are with weak immune systems as they may get very sick or die. Again, to avoid such an event, patients need to only use antibiotics or antivirals when directed by doctors and never self-treat themselves even if the patient thinks they have symptoms suspected of bacterial or viral infections. Patients need to take medicine exactly as directed by doctors to ensure it works properly. Specifically for antibiotics, patients need to continue taking it despite they already feeling well. Patients who take antivirals need to ensure they only take it within the time stipulated.

In essence, the existence of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections and antivirals to treat viral infections should be a blessing. It should be used properly and only when needed. It is important to avoid both antibiotics and antivirals resistance because in order to even create newer forms of these therapeutic agents in fighting newer less known pathogens, will be very difficult. Always ask your healthcare provider if you are unsure how to use antibiotics and antivirals properly. Any side effect arises from using medications should be notified to doctors. If you still feel sick after finishing the medicine, please get medical advice so that you can get re-evaluated and get better treatment.