Virus vs. Bacteria: What's the Difference?
Read the comparison below, or explore it visually. Create a visual lesson comparing virus and bacteria using available credits or plan allowance.
Both can make you sick, but they're fundamentally different. Bacteria are living, single-celled organisms that can grow and reproduce on their own. A virus is much smaller, isn't truly alive, and can only reproduce by hijacking a host's cells. Crucially, antibiotics kill bacteria but do nothing to viruses.
At a glance
| Virus | Bacteria | |
|---|---|---|
| Living? | Not truly alive | Living organism |
| Size | Much smaller | Larger (10–100×) |
| Reproduces | Only inside a host cell | On its own, by splitting |
| Structure | Genes in a protein coat | A complete single cell |
| Treated with | Antivirals, vaccines | Antibiotics |
Which should you use?
It's a virus when the agent is a tiny package of genetic material that must invade your cells to copy itself — like the cold, flu, or COVID-19. Antibiotics won't help.
It's bacteria when the agent is a living, self-sufficient single cell — like those causing strep throat or tuberculosis. These can be treated with antibiotics.