Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of viral infections?

Viral infections indeed have several distinct characteristics, and the statement that they can be treated with antibiotics is not true. Antibiotics are designed to target bacterial infections and do not have any effect on viruses. Consequently, treating viral infections with antibiotics would be ineffective and can contribute to antibiotic resistance, complicating future treatment options for bacterial infections.

In contrast, viral infections typically do cause symptoms like fever and fatigue, as the body's immune response reacts to the virus. They can lead to inflammation as well, as this is a part of the body’s natural response to fight off the infection. Additionally, viruses require host cells for replication, as they lack the necessary machinery to reproduce independently. This underscores the unique nature of viral infections compared to bacterial ones.