Viral infections occur when a person becomes infected by a small organism that attacks cells in the body. Bacterial infections can typically be cured by a simple round of antibiotics, but viral infections do not respond to antibiotic treatment. Viral infections include conditions that kill cells, infest cells and change cells. Illnesses that are considered viral infections cover a broad range, and viral infection causes include inhaling and swallowing organisms, unprotected sex, the swapping of infected bodily fluids and a weakened immune system.
An organism needs a way to enter the body if a person is to experience a viral infection. Typical viral infection causes occur when a person inhales or swallows the infected mini-organisms, which can lead to developing illnesses such as the common cold. The common cold has no cure, so patients are normally advised to rest, stay hydrated and treat the various symptoms of the viral infection. A person may choose to take a pain reliever to lower a fever or get rid of head pain associated with the common cold. A person can prevent being infected with the virus that causes common cold by washing his or her hands many times throughout the day, keeping a clean home and getting plenty of sleep.
Unprotected sex also is high on the list of viral infection causes. One of the common but serious viral infections a person can contract from unprotected sex is genital herpes. The common cold eventually clears up but, once a person contracts genital herpes, he or she is stuck with the disease for life. People with the genital herpes virus may go through long periods of time without having any sores or symptoms, but it does not mean the viral infection is gone. The best way for a person to stay protected from genital herpes is to always wear a condom during intercourse and to limit the number of sexual partners he or she has.
Exchanging or swapping infected blood, breast milk or sexual fluids also are viral infection causes. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be contracted from such an exchange. The spread of HIV can be prevented if a person always practices safe sex, never shares tattoo or drug needles and wears gloves when working in a medical environment or any other place where blood-to-broken-skin contact may be likely to occur.
A weakened immune system also is among the viral infection causes. When a person's immune system is already compromised from an existing illness or simply poor general health, he or she may not be able to produce white blood cells fast enough to fight off or prevent infections. People who fall into this category can be more likely to contract an infection from inhaling or swallowing infectious mini-organisms than their counterparts with healthier immune systems.