make this shorter. (Viruses invade host cells and hijack their machinery to replicate, often leading to cell damage or death, which can cause illnesses ranging from mild colds to severe diseases like COVID-19. Bacteria, while many are beneficial, can also produce toxins and induce inflammatory responses when pathogenic, leading to infections such as strep throat or urinary tract infections. The immune system responds to both viruses and bacteria, but the strategies for combating these entities differ significantly due to their distinct biological structures and replication methods.)

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Viruses invade host cells to replicate, often causing cell damage and illnesses from mild colds to severe diseases like COVID-19. While many bacteria are beneficial, pathogenic ones can produce toxins and cause infections like strep throat. The immune system responds to both, but strategies differ due to their unique biological structures and replication methods.