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The article discusses how bacterial infections often accompany and exacerbate the severity of viral infections like COVID-19 and the flu. Historical pandemics, including the 1918 influenza and more recent flu outbreaks, showed that many deaths were caused not by the viruses themselves but by secondary bacterial pneumonia. This pattern has continued with COVID-19, where secondary bacterial infections increase the risk of death. The interplay between viruses and bacteria involves viruses damaging the respiratory tract’s protective barriers, making it easier for bacteria to invade and cause further infections. Understanding this interaction is crucial for better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies.