How are viruses different from bacteria?

Many of them get confused with bacteria and virus to be similar...Yes, they are similar and not. They both are basically microorganisms but they differ quite a lot. Let's explore!

Viruses and bacteria both cause diseases but they are quite different. To begin with, they are very different in size. Viruses are much tinier, and the biggest virus is only as large as the smallest bacterium.

 They differ in structure too. A typical bacterium, which is the singular form of bacteria, has a rigid cell wall, and a thin, rubbery cell membrane surrounding the fluid, or cytoplasm inside the cell. A bacterium contains all of the genetic information needed to make copies of itself-its DNA.

A virus may, or may not have an outermost spiky layer called the envelope. All viruses have a protein coat and a core of genetic material too. However, the main difference between bacteria and viruses is the way they reproduce. 

Bacteria are alive, and exhibit growth and reproduction. They multiply in air, water, soil, and in living host cells. Viruses exhibit the characters of both living and non-living things, and multiply only in a living host. They can take over the functioning of an infected cell, and turn it into a factory producing millions more viruses! Viruses are responsible for many ailments including the common cold and influenza.


Infections caused by harmful bacteria can almost always be cured with antibiotics. While some viruses can be vaccinated against, most, such as HIV and the viruses which cause the common cold, are incurable, even if their symptoms can be treated, meaning the living host must have a strong enough immune system to survive the infection. 

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