POP QUIZ

FIGHTING PATHOGENS

Q:

Virus and bacteria can both cause disease. Knowing the differences between the two can help you better understand how your veterinarian will treat your horse and how you can support those efforts. Which of the following statements about viruses and bacteria is false?

a. When a virus invades a cell, it hijacks its internal processes to produce and disseminate multiple copies of itself.

b. Viral infections tend to be systemic, affecting multiple body systems, while bacterial infections are typically confined to one part of the body.

c. Fever is the body’s way of fighting both bacterial and viral infections.

d. Antibiotic medications weaken some viruses.

d. Antibiotics do not kill or weaken viruses. They are used to treat bacterial infections. Inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance.