What Do Doctors Mean When They Say ‘Viral’?

Overview

The term "viral" in Australian casual speech describes content which rapidly spreads across social media platforms. The medical field applies this term to describe a completely different concept. Many patients often mix up these two meanings of "viral", which can lead to confusion about treatments and when to see a doctor. People who understand the distinction between viral and bacterial infections will be able to handle their health conditions more effectively while staying away from antibiotic prescriptions that are not needed.

Concept of 'viral'

When a doctor says, for instance, “you have a viral cough,” they are referring to the root cause of your symptoms. In this context, ‘viral’ means that your cough or other symptoms are caused by a virus, rather than bacteria, fungi, or other pathogens. Viruses are microscopic organisms that invade cells in your body and use those cells to reproduce. This invasion and replication process can cause various symptoms, depending on the type of virus and the body system it affects. For example, the influenza virus targets the respiratory system, leading to symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and a sore throat. On the other hand, the norovirus affects the digestive system, resulting in symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea. Thus, when a doctor identifies your condition as viral, they’ve determined that a virus is the underlying culprit of your symptoms.

What does ‘Viral’ mean in medicine?

Medical terminology employs "viral" to specify diseases which result from viral infections instead of bacterial or fungal causes. Examples of viral illnesses:

• The common cold
• Influenza (often referred to as "the flu")
• COVID-19
• Viral gastroenteritis (commonly known as a "tummy bug")

Viral vs. Bacterial

Feature	Viral Infection	Bacterial Infection
Cause	Viruses	Bacteria
Treatment	Rest, fluids, sometimes antivirals (if severe and early onset)	Antibiotics
Duration	Usually short-term	Can last longer or worsen
Example	Cold, flu, COVID-19	Strep throat, urinary infection

The fundamental principle of antibiotics emerges from their bacterial infection treatment capabilities because they fail to impact viral infections. So patients who often request antibiotics for a viral infection are looking for the wrong treatment that will be both ineffective and may actually cause them unnecessary common side effects such as a rash, diarrhoea or vomiting.

Symptoms: viral vs. treatable with prescription medication

It’s essential to understand that the distinction between viral and non-viral (e.g., bacterial) conditions isn’t always about the severity or type of symptoms but rather their cause. Both viral and bacterial infections can manifest with similar symptoms, making it sometimes challenging for doctors to differentiate between the two without specific tests. For instance, both viral and bacterial infections can cause a sore throat, fever, and fatigue. However, there are subtle differences. Viral illnesses often come with a combination of respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, like a cough combined with nausea. Bacterial infections might be more localised, such as a bacterial skin infection presenting with a focused area of redness and swelling. Furthermore, the duration of symptoms can sometimes offer clues. A cold, which is viral, might last a week and then gradually improve. In contrast, a bacterial throat infection without treatment might persist and even worsen over time. However, it’s crucial to note that these are general observations, and individual experiences can vary. Only a thorough examination and, if necessary, specific tests can determine the true nature of an infection.

Common misconceptions

• “Antibiotics will help me get better faster.” –This is not true for viral illnesses as viruses do not respond to antibiotics
• “If it’s viral, it’s not serious.” –Severe viral infections result in fatal medical conditions which produce dangerous health risks for patients.
• “A fever means I need antibiotics.” –A fever is just a sign that your immune system is fighting back against an infection from any source.

Challenge of prescription medication for viral conditions

One might wonder: if we have antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, why isn’t there a similar ‘magic pill’ for viral conditions? The answer lies in the fundamental differences between bacteria and viruses. Bacteria are single-celled organisms with their own cellular structures. Antibiotics work by targeting these specific structures, thereby killing the bacteria or inhibiting their growth. Viruses, however, are much simpler entities that lack the cellular machinery that bacteria possess. Instead, viruses hijack the machinery of our own cells to replicate. This makes it challenging to develop medications that target viruses without also harming our own cells. While there are antiviral medications available for certain viral infections, such as HIV or influenza, they don’t “cure” the virus but rather inhibit its replication. Not only that, but viruses can also mutate rapidly, leading to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. This is why, often, the best defence against viral illnesses is prevention (such as through vaccination with the flu vaccine and COVID vaccine for instance), rather than treatment after the fact.

How viral infections are treated

The treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms:

• Get adequate rest and stay well-hydrated The treatment for pain should include basic pain relief medications which include paracetamol and ibuprofen.
• Antivirals may be used for certain illnesses such as flu or COVID-19 if the symptoms are severe and diagnoses early
• The use of antibiotics needs to be limited to medical cases which require their therapeutic benefits.

Home care tips

• Keep up your fluids, especially in warm weather
• Rest up, your body needs energy to recover
• Eat light and nourishing meals
• The treatment for nasal congestion includes saline nasal spray while lozenges help to soothe sore throats. You need to visit your GP for further testing because your symptoms either stay the same or get worse.

Prevention

• Wash hands regularly
• Stay at home when you're sick.
• Stay current with vaccine recommendations which include flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines and others.
• People should never share their drinks or utensils with others.
• Maintain all surfaces in a clean state because the winter months bring higher risks of cold and flu outbreaks.

When to See a Doctor

See a GP if you have: The body temperature continues to rise even after trying every method to lower it.

• Breathing difficulties
• Ongoing vomiting or diarrhoea.
• Symptoms lasting more than a week

How Hola Health Can Help

Hola Health connects you with Australian GPs online. You can: Doctors offer medical consultations to patients through video calls that take place from the comfort of their homes.

• Seek medical advice to get necessary prescription medication.
• Organise specialist referrals if needed

FAQs

Can viral infections sometimes develop into bacterial infections?

Yes, sometimes a viral illness (like a cold) can weaken your immune system and lead to a secondary bacterial infection.

How long does a viral infection usually last?

Most people will recover from their illness within 5–10 days but they might experience ongoing fatigue symptoms.

Can children get viral infections more often?

Their bodies have not fully developed their immune systems so they become more susceptible to catching illnesses.

Are there any medications that treat all viruses?

No, antivirals are virus-specific. That’s the reason prevention and symptom relief hold such value.