Understanding Viral vs. Bacterial Infections in Central Texas
Tens of thousands of people across Central Texas, including Waco, face illnesses each year that range from mild viral infections to more serious bacterial conditions.
Written by: Corey Alexander
Published on: October 24, 2025
Knowing the difference between the two is essential for getting the right treatment and protecting your health.
At Premier ER & Urgent Care, we’re here to help you navigate these common infections and provide the care you need, all under one roof.
What Are Viral Infections?
Viral infections are caused by viruses, tiny agents that invade living cells to replicate. In Central Texas, viral illnesses like the flu, common cold, and viral sore throats are especially common during the winter months. These infections spread quickly in schools, workplaces, and public spaces, making prevention key.
Symptoms of viral infections often include a runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, and mild fever. While most viral illnesses resolve on their own within 10 to 14 days, severe symptoms like difficulty breathing or a high fever lasting more than three days may require medical attention.
What Are Bacterial Infections?
Bacterial infections, on the other hand, are caused by single-celled organisms that can reproduce independently. Infections like strep throat, bacterial sinus infections, urinary tract infections, and ear infections are most common. Other examples include tuberculosis, meningitis, and skin infections like cellulitis and impetigo, which causes redness and swelling. Anyone can get a bacterial infection. However, certain factors like being immunocompromised or living with a chronic health condition can increase your risk.
How to Tell the Difference
While the two types of infections can cause similar symptoms, viral infections usually creep up on you, with symptoms that develop slowly over time. Take the common cold, for example - it might start with a scratchy throat and then gradually turn into a cough and stuffy nose.
Bacterial infections, on the other hand, tend to hit fast and hard. Strep throat is a good example—it can come out of nowhere with a sudden, severe sore throat and a high fever. Knowing these differences can make it easier to figure out what’s going on and when to get the right care.
Their treatments also differ significantly. Unlike viral infections, many bacterial illnesses require antibiotics for treatment. It’s important to only take antibiotics when prescribed by a doctor to prevent resistance, which occurs when bacteria in your body start to evolve and resist the healing effects of antibiotic medication, making them no longer effective for your infection.
When to Seek Care at Premier ER & Urgent Care
Some viral infections can turn into bacterial infections, so it’s important to seek medical attention if your symptoms worsen after several days or include difficulty breathing, severe pain, or a very high fever.
If you’re experiencing symptoms like a stiff neck, severe headache, persistent vomiting, or a skin infection that includes swelling or pus, you should seek help.
At Premier ER & Urgent Care, we understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate illness, especially during the busy winter months. That’s why we’re committed to offering the highest level of care. Whether it’s a lingering cold, a sudden infection, or something more serious, you can count on us to help you feel better, faster.
