A viral infection is any type of infection that is caused by a virus, which is even smaller than bacteria and is encapsulated by a protective coating so it is more difficult to kill than bacteria. This is why it is so difficult to treat viral infections. Viruses cannot grow or exist, though, without host cells.
Viral infections can cause illnesses as minor as the common cold and as severe as AIDS.
Antibiotics do not kill viruses and the use of them for viral infections just leads to antibiotic resistance. There are only a few antiviral medications available to treat very specific viruses, and they are not always effective. There are vaccines, though, available to help prevent many viral infections. If you have a minor illness and your health care provider tells you that it is a viral infection, the best thing to do is just let it run its course.
Source:
"Viral Infections." Medlineplus 23 July 08. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 08 Aug 08.
