Cytokines are very important in the host defense system, and play a critical role in protection against bacterial and viral infections. Cytokines are also involved in the pathogenesis and development of symptoms in infections. In this article, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection as bacterial infection, and influenza virus infection, encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) infection, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection as viral infection are mentioned. In H. pylori infection, various chemokines, especially interleukin (IL)-8, induce inflammatory responses in the gastroduodenal mucosa. Furthermore, IL-6, IL-7, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interferon (IFN)-gamma are involved in both protection and pathogenesis. In influenza virus infection, IFN-alpha/beta, IFN-gamma, and IL-6 play protective roles. In EMCV infection, IL-6 and TNF-alpha play important roles as a protective and exacerbative factor in acute myocarditis, respectively. Furthermore, in HSV infection, the production of inflammatory cytokines is closely correlated with the pathogenesis of herpetic keratitis, and IFN-gamma plays an important role in enhancing viral clearance from the cornea and trigeminal ganglions.