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Is Covid-19 in fact a bacterial infection?

No, Covid-19 is not caused by bacteria. According to the World Health Organization, Covid-19 is the disease caused by the new coronavirus – a respiratory virus that is spread by droplets from an infected person.

Viruses and bacteria differ in a number of ways. Bacteria are “single-celled microorganisms” that are able to survive in various environments, explains James Steckelberg, professor of medicine at the US-based Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. While some of these germs are good, others can be harmful and cause illnesses such as tuberculosis and urinary tract infections, which can be treated with antibiotics.

Viruses are smaller than bacteria and cannot be killed with antibiotics. Another key difference is that viruses can’t survive without a host. They invade cells in the bodies of animals or people in order to multiply.

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