Can someone explain 'virus' to me please

S

sonjafoers

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 May 2009
Messages
2,107
Visit site
Hi,

my horse has just got over what is being generally termed a 'virus' - she was feeling poorly, had a high temperature & was sweating. I had conflicting advice about getting the vet to inject her with some people saying you can't cure a virus and some saying she needed antibiotics.

Can you explain a viral infection to me please as opposed ( I guess ) to a bacterial infection and explain how best to treat both.

Thank you
 
I agree there is loads on the net explaining the dfference but for those that can't be bothered to read from the link, antibiotics are absolutely only for bacterial infections and can cause mutation when used incorrectly, which means more untreatable bacterial diseases - not something to be taken lightly!
 
Viruses can't be treated with anitbiotics. They may cause bacterial infections due to reduced immunity which can be treated with antib's.

Colds and 'flu are viruses, that's why you don't get given antib's for them.
 
So in general terms a virus is something like a cold which can't really be treated. Is it right it can be airborne and although contagious it doesn't necessarily have to be caught from another infected horse?

How does a horse get a bacterial infection and would the symptoms be different from something viral?
 
sonjafoers said:
So in general terms a virus is something like a cold which can't really be treated. Is it right it can be airborne and although contagious it doesn't necessarily have to be caught from another infected horse?

How does a horse get a bacterial infection and would the symptoms be different from something viral?
Click to expand...

Virus and bacteria can spread by the same means and cause similar symptoms and diseases. The main difference between the two comes down to their structure, reproduction and treatment.
 
My mare has just had a "viral infection" apparently and had the vet out twice for colic like symptoms and then high temperature and low blood cell counts.
We were given bute and told to rest. Now 4 weeks on she is looking perkier and ive put her on a nice GP supplement with Iron in. Going to try her with a light hack tomo fingers crossed shes feeling better!
 
Anonnymouse said:
The term "virus" is often banded about when in fact what is meant is "an unknown infection". So I wouldn't get too hung up on it.
Click to expand...

This exactly. Most vets and doctors will say viral if they don't know quite what it is. However, antibiotics will not treat a true viral infection. Antibiotics are for bacteria, fungicides are for fungal infection and anti virals for viral infection. Anti-virals are rarely prescribed mind you because they only slow the speed at which a virus replicates and aren't usually considered worth it.

Symptoms and transmission are pretty similar between both bacteria and virus and in honesty the treatment is about the same too. Rest, keep warm, keep hydrated.

Mutations are random. But over use of antibiotics can lead to resistance. By constantly using antibiotics we tend to select the bacteria which have a random mutation that allows them to survive treatment. These are then left to multiply and the ones which aren't resistant die. So by using antibiotics we may increase the number of resistant bacteria. It is more complicated than this as low level antibiotic use is worse than using them at full strength but I don't want to bang on too much!

I'm glad she is feeling better now anyway :)
 
Thank you everybody, I always hear about viruses on yards etc and it does seem to be a general term.

I'm well educated now :D and I'll certainly be more aware about antibiotics
 
A virus is microscopic and has a core of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat. It needs a living cell to grow and reproduce itself.

Bacteria are single cell organisms that reproduce by dividing themselves or by producing spores. They can live in many different types of environment. Some are bad and cause disease and some good and are needed for digestioin.

When you get cold or flu you become infected by a virus, you get the stuffed up head, a runny nose, headaches etc while your body fights the attack on its system. Rest, plenty of fluids and something to reduce the symptoms are all you can do for this viral type of infection. Generally they run a course of about 3 days for the body to set up the defence process and 3 to 5 days for the body to recover from the onslaught.

If your runny nose changes colour to yellowish/green then you have developed a secondary infection caused by bacteria - this part may need treatment with antibiotics to kill off the bacteria causes the problem. Some are self limiting others not so easy to shift.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top