How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one? How to determine - a viral or bacterial infection? Differences between viral and bacterial infections

Due to insufficiently formed immunity, our children often get sick. Parents begin to worry about their child, even if he has caught a common cold. After all, it can be a symptom of not only a common cold, but also be a manifestation of a viral or bacterial infection. How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one in this case? What treatment approach is required based on this? Let's try to figure it out.

Viral and bacterial infection has its own characteristic symptoms which help to make a preliminary diagnosis with almost 100% accuracy. A child's body can cope with viruses on its own, but jokes are bad with a bacterial infection, microorganisms multiply rapidly and often antibiotics are indispensable.

Single-celled bacteria are complete microorganisms that can live on their own. They live around us and in ourselves. When a person's immunity is weakened, they begin to attack his body, releasing toxins. The same happens if the pathogenic microorganism has got into habitat conditions favorable for it. Characteristic symptoms appear, which allow you to understand that a person is infected with some kind of bacteria:

There are many types of bacteria, they affect certain systems, provoke characteristic symptoms. These manifestations are only local or act on the whole organism as a whole, if the lesion is severe.

Diagnosis includes not only the recognition of symptoms, it is also carried out in order to establish the type of pathogen, this requires testing. It is they who help to make the correct diagnosis, on the basis of which treatment is carried out. We expect his success, the child will recover with minimal health risks, without complications and side effects.

How is a virus different from a bacterium? The virus does not have a cell, the material is located in a protein shell. It is smaller than a bacterium and for life it needs a carrier, which it kills in the course of its life. Therefore, symptoms of infection appear. The difference between a viral infection and a bacterial one is that viruses rarely affect only one area of ​​the body, their manifestations are noticeable throughout the body. The course of a viral infection in adults and children is the same, the difference is only in the severity of symptoms.

The following symptoms will help you understand that the child is infected with viruses:

Important! Don't panic if your child continues to cough for a long time after recovery. This is due to a very sensitive throat mucosa, which recovers longer than other systems and organs. At the same time, you can’t stuff your child with antibiotics, which will still turn out to be powerless, since their action is directed only to bacteria. Rinsing will help which will remove unpleasant residual effects.

If the virus manifests itself with the symptoms described above, the treatment is symptomatic. It is also necessary to strengthen the defenses of the child's body.

Treatment of bacterial diseases

A bacterial infection should be treated only by a highly qualified specialist. If its symptoms appear, you should immediately visit the doctor or call an ambulance. Only after the tests can treatment be prescribed, which includes:

1. Taking antibiotics. Prescribe drugs of local or general action, they are able to neutralize the activity of microorganisms.
2. Taking symptomatic remedies that will help alleviate the condition of the child.
3. Folk remedies are used to strengthen the body. They are taken with the permission of a doctor.
4. Taking drugs that restore beneficial intestinal microflora.

Immediately after the start of treatment, the child no longer poses a threat to others. This does not mean that they should be taken to prevent complications or stop the spread of infection among family members. If you start taking antiviral drugs very early, you can destroy the beneficial microflora and allow bacteria to multiply even more.

Antiviral treatment

Symptoms of a viral infection go away on their own. Treatment is carried out to eliminate the manifestations of viruses that cause discomfort. The actions of the doctor and parents are as follows:

It is worth knowing that vaccinations save only from infection with certain viral infections. Bacterial diseases do not harm only in case of strong immunity. They are very contagious, so if a relative or friend gets sick, it is better to limit his communication with the child.

Today, thousands of bacteria are known - some are beneficial, while others are pathogenic and cause diseases. Many terrible diseases - plague, anthrax, leprosy, cholera and tuberculosis - are bacterial infections.

Well, the most common are meningitis and pneumonia.

It is important not to confuse bacterial infections with viral ones, to know the symptoms and treatment options.

What infections are called bacterial?

Bacterial infections are a huge group of diseases. One reason unites them - bacteria. They are the most ancient and numerous microorganisms.

• Airways;
• intestines;
• blood;
• skin covering.

Separately, bacterial infections in children and latent sexual infections in women and men are distinguished.

Bacterial infections of the respiratory tract often develop after a cold, as a complication. The immune system becomes weaker, and pathogenic bacteria that did not manifest themselves before begin to multiply. Respiratory bacterial infections can be caused by the following pathogens:

• staphylococci;
• pneumococci;
• streptococci;
• whooping cough;
• meningococci;
• mycobacteria;
• mycoplasmas.

Upper respiratory tract infection usually manifested by bacterial sinusitis, pharyngitis and acute tonsillitis (more commonly known as tonsillitis). In this case, a pronounced focus of inflammation is always observed.

To bacterial infectious diseases of the lower respiratory tract include bacterial bronchitis and pneumonia.

Bacterial infections of the intestine often occur due to unwashed hands, the use of products with poor heat treatment, improper storage or expired shelf life. In most cases, the problem is caused by:

• shigella;
• staphylococci;
• cholera vibrios;
• typhoid bacillus;
• salmonellosis.

Bacterial intestinal infections are the most dangerous because their symptoms (such as diarrhea) are not always taken seriously.

Intestinal bacterial infections are more often manifested by the following diseases:

• salmonellosis;
• typhoid fever;
• dysentery.

In women and men, bacterial infections affect and genitourinary system. Most often, women are exposed to bacterial vaginosis (gardnerellosis), chlamydia, cystitis, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis. Men suffer from urethritis, chlamydia, bacterial balanitis or prostatitis.

In children most often there are viral infections, which are complicated by bacterial ones due to the weakening of the body during the period of illness. In most cases, the following viral diseases are observed in childhood:

• measles;
• rubella;
• piggy;
• chicken pox.

Children who have been ill with such infections receive strong immunity and are no longer exposed to these diseases. But if during the period of illness the child had contact with harmful bacteria, then it is quite possible to develop complications in the form of bacterial pneumonia, otitis media, etc.

How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one

Bacterial and viral infections are often confused. They may have the same symptoms and even similar results in diagnostic tests.

It is imperative to differentiate these infections, since drugs for their treatment are completely different.

There are several signs by which you can determine whether a bacterial or viral infection is present in the body:

• duration. Symptoms of a viral infection usually subside quickly (in about 7-10 days), while a bacterial infection can last for more than a month.
• Slime color. If the disease is accompanied by sputum or nasal mucus, then you should pay attention to their color. The virus is usually accompanied by secretions of a transparent color and liquid consistency. For bacterial infections, the discharge is more characteristic of a dark greenish or yellow-green color. You should not completely rely on this sign.
• Temperature. Both types of infections are usually accompanied by fever, but in bacterial diseases, it is higher and is characterized by a gradual increase. With a virus, this indicator behaves the other way around - it gradually decreases.
• Ways of infection. Among bacterial infections, only some diseases are transmitted by contact, and for the virus this is the main route of spread.
• Development and localization. Bacterial infections tend to develop slowly, and the virus immediately manifests itself brightly. In the first case, the lesion is isolated, that is, the disease is localized in a certain area. A viral disease affects the entire body.
• Test results. One of the main indicators is the level of leukocytes and lymphocytes. Leukocytes increase with infection of any etiology, but neutrophils are elevated during bacterial infection(this is a special type of leukocytes). With a viral infection, leukocytes can be increased, but most often they are lowered (including neutrophils) (for example, with influenza, viral hepatitis, measles, rubella, mumps, typhoid fever, leukocytes are necessarily below normal), but here with a viral infection, an increase in the number of lymphocytes is necessarily traced, and an increase in monocytes may also be observed (with infectious mononucleosis, for example), therefore, the result of a general blood test is evaluated in a complex manner. Another analysis is a bacteriological examination of a biological fluid (detachable eye, ear, sinuses, wounds or sputum, for example). This analysis will identify the causative agent of a bacterial infection.

Symptoms of bacterial infections

There are many possible bacterial infections. Each has its own characteristics, so the set of symptoms is different.

The incubation period for bacterial infections has a wide range. Some pathogens actively multiply in a few hours, while others take several days.

Signs of a bacterial infection depend on which part of the body it has affected. Intestinal diseases in this case are manifested by the following symptoms:

• high temperature and fever;
• pain in the abdomen;
• vomiting;
• diarrhea.

These symptoms are generalized, since individual diseases manifest themselves in different ways. For example, with a typhoid infection, not only the stomach hurts, but also the throat, as well as the joints.

Children's bacterial infections are characterized by a wider range of symptoms. The thing is that almost always a bacterial infection is a continuation of a viral one. For example, a child gets sick with adenovirus, but under certain conditions he develops a bacterial infection as a complication of the original disease, so the clinical picture is erased.

But still, the diseases are expressed by the following symptoms:

• high temperature (more than 39°C);
• nausea and vomiting;
• plaque on the tongue and tonsils;
• severe intoxication.

If, after improving well-being, a deterioration in the patient's condition is observed, then most often this indicates the development of complications of a bacterial nature after a viral illness.

Bacterial infections in the upper respiratory tract also often appear after the transferred virus, when immunity is reduced. Infection is expressed in the following symptoms:

• deterioration of well-being;
• pronounced lesion;
• purulent secretions;
• white coating in the throat.

A bacterial lesion in women affecting the genitourinary system has the following symptoms:

• vaginal discharge - the color and consistency depends on the causative agent of the infection;
• itching and burning;
• bad smell;
• painful urination;
• pain during intercourse.

In men, the development of a bacterial infection has a similar character:

• pathological discharge from the urethra;
• unpleasant odor of discharge;
• painful urination, itching, burning;
• discomfort during intercourse.

Diagnostics

For bacterial infections, specific investigations are needed. They are used to differentiate a bacterial lesion from a viral one, as well as to determine the pathogen. The course of treatment depends on the results of the tests.

Bacterial infections are diagnosed mainly through laboratory tests. The following methods are usually used:

• Blood test with leukocyte formula. With a bacterial infection, an increased number of neutrophils is observed. When the number of stab neutrophils is increased, then they speak of an acute infectious disease. But if metamyelocytes, myelocytes are found, then the patient's condition is characterized as dangerous, and requires urgent medical attention. With the help of such diagnostics, it is possible to identify the nature and stage of the disease.
• Analysis of urine. Shows whether the urinary system is affected by bacteria, and is also necessary to determine the severity of intoxication.
• Bacteriological examination with antibiogram. With the help of this analysis, it determines the type of causative agent of the infection, and by what means it can be killed (the so-called sensitivity of the pathogen to antibiotics is determined). These factors are important for prescribing the correct therapy.
• Serological study. Based on the detection of antibodies and antigens that interact in a specific way. For such studies, venous blood is taken. This method is effective when the pathogen cannot be isolated.

Dr. Komarovsky tells in detail about how laboratory diagnostics is carried out to distinguish a bacterial infection from a viral one:

Laboratory research is the main direction in the diagnosis of bacterial infections. In some cases, additional examinations are required:

• X-ray. Performed to differentiate specific processes in individual organs.
• Instrumental diagnostics. Ultrasound or laparoscopy is more commonly used. These methods are needed to study the internal organs for specific lesions.

The appointment of the correct treatment, its effectiveness and the risk of complications directly depend on the timeliness of diagnosis. You should consult a doctor at the first alarming symptoms - at the reception, the patient is always prescribed tests.

General approach to the treatment of bacterial infections

In the treatment of bacterial infections, general principles are followed. This implies a certain therapy algorithm:

• Eliminate the cause of the disease.
• Cleanse the body of toxins.
• Heal the organs affected by the infection.
• Reduce the severity of symptoms and alleviate the condition.

Treatment of a bacterial infection implies the mandatory use of antibiotics, and if it is an intestinal infection, then also a special diet.

As for taking medications, broad-spectrum drugs include antibiotics of the penicillin group and cephalosporins of the 3rd generation.

There are a lot of antibiotics, each group of such drugs has its own mechanism of action and purpose. Self-medication, at best, will not bring an effect, and at worst, it will lead to neglect of the disease and a number of complications, so the doctor should prescribe treatment depending on the nature of the disease. The patient is only obliged to follow all the doctor's instructions and not to arbitrarily reduce the course of taking antibiotics and the prescribed dosage.

Let's summarize what has been said. There are a lot of bacterial infections, and the effectiveness of their treatment directly depends on the identification of the causative agent of the disease. Most people are carriers of certain bacteria, but only certain factors provoke the development of infection. This can be avoided with preventive measures.

Colds are different. Many do not know that colds are different. They are either viral or bacterial. If a cold is caused by a virus, it is usually treated without antibiotics. But if a cold is caused by bacteria, then these medicines are indispensable. What is the difference between a viral and bacterial cold? Let's figure it out.

It is very important to distinguish between these two types of infections. After all, each case will use its own treatment. Colds are often caused by viruses. And the doctor diagnoses an acute respiratory viral disease. But five to ten percent of colds are caused by bacteria. And then the specialist must prescribe a completely different treatment.

For a cold caused by a viral infection, the specialist recommends home treatment and adherence to a plentiful drinking regimen. The disease is mild and passes quickly. A cold caused by a bacterial infection will be severe and antibiotic treatment is indispensable. But with a viral cold, antibiotics are completely useless.

If the virus affects the organs of the respiratory system, then the specialist, as a rule, prescribes antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs.
As we said above, viral infections that affect the upper respiratory tract are much more common than bacterial ones. The incubation period in this case lasts no more than five days from the moment of infection. But the incubation period when the body is affected by a bacterial infection can last two weeks. If the cold is prolonged, the treatment should be more intensive. In this case, you will need to take blood tests, do a bacterial culture. And be sure to examine the patient ENT.

Symptoms of a viral cold appear within a day. The patient immediately feels a deterioration in health. With a cold caused by bacteria, the symptoms appear inconspicuously and for a long time.

viral cold

Viruses are genetic material. And they are much smaller than bacteria. The virus itself does not live. He needs a host. When this infected carrier enters the body, and the virus begins to multiply, it dies. Because of this, the state of health sharply becomes bad. And signs of defeat are felt throughout the body.

The first few days of illness are very difficult. After the recession begins and after ten days the symptoms disappear. With a bacterial cold, symptoms appear for a week or more. But this is not an indication. If there is no deterioration after two weeks, then most likely a viral infection has caused complications. Also, sinusitis, which was caused by a virus, will torment three to four weeks. And then it will go away on its own.
An increase in temperature indicates that the body is fighting the virus. The temperature may not be too high. But at the same time, it can make you sweat and shiver.
In addition, all the muscles hurt, and I don’t want to eat anything.

If the body is affected by a virus, a headache will be observed. This is his reaction to the virus. And the pain is localized in the front. It can be strong and pulsating, or weak, but lasting for a long time.

A runny nose is a companion of a viral infection. The mucous swells, and a clear liquid begins to flow from the nose. At the same time, odors are not felt and the nose does not breathe. A runny nose can trigger a cough. Mucus will flow down the throat and irritate the mucous membrane there.

Cough is a defensive reaction of the body. Thus, he tries to get rid of pathogenic microflora. A lot of mucus is produced to wash out the viruses. This is what irritates the mucous membranes.

With a viral cold, a cough appears on the first or second day. And he's expectorant. Even though a viral cold clears up quickly, a cough will take longer to treat. This can be explained by the fact that the mucous membrane of the throat recovers much longer.

From the sputum that is released from coughing, one can understand a viral cold or a bacterial one. When the body is affected by a virus, it will be transparent. If the body is affected by bacteria, then it will be thick and not transparent. It can be yellow, green or even red.

Sore throat so that it is impossible to swallow, only with a viral infection.

When the body tries to get rid of a viral infection, it directs all its forces to this. Therefore, the body is weakened and it needs rest.
In a child, a viral infection can cause rashes. A red rash may indicate measles, rubella, herpes virus.

bacterial cold

Bacteria do not need a carrier. These are single-celled microorganisms that live independently. And when a bacterial infection affects the body, the symptoms are localized in a certain part of the body.

Bacteria live everywhere, even inside the body. But all of them do not harm us. And the intestines are inhabited only by useful ones. There are also bad bacteria that cause colds.

As mentioned above, a bacterial cold does not appear immediately. The condition worsens gradually. And the disease can be cured only with the help of antibiotics.

With such a cold, the body also raises body temperature. This suggests that it is trying to kill all harmful bacteria. Sometimes the temperature can reach forty degrees.

During illness, pain may be felt in one part of the body. For example, if a bacterial infection has affected the ears, then the pain will be felt in the ears. And it will be sharp and constant.

With a bacterial cold, the lymph nodes become inflamed and swollen. And they can be easily felt on the neck, behind the ears, in the armpits, in the groin, under the knees.

Treatment

In case of a bacterial infection, antibiotics must be prescribed.

Remember that bacterial infections are contagious. Therefore, with angina and other diseases, allocate yourself a separate cup, spoon, plate. Don't kiss your loved ones if you don't want them to get sick. Take care of yourself and your loved ones!

The human body is prone to a wide variety of diseases, and most of them are infectious. And such diseases can be bacterial or viral in nature. It is important to immediately determine which pathogen caused the disease in order to choose the right treatment. But for this you should know how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one. In fact, there are differences, knowing which, you can quite easily determine the type of pathogen.

Signs of a viral infection

Viruses are non-cellular organisms that need to invade a living cell in order to reproduce. There are a huge number of viruses that cause various pathologies, but the most common are those that provoke the development of the so-called colds. Scientists have counted more than 30,000 such microbial agents, among which the most famous is the influenza virus. As for the rest, they all cause SARS.

Even before going to the doctor, it is useful to know how to determine that a child or an adult has SARS. There are many signs indicating the viral origin of inflammation:

• short incubation period, up to 5 days;
• body aches even at subfebrile temperature;
• temperature rise above 38 degrees;
• strong fever;
• severe symptoms of intoxication (headache, weakness, drowsiness);
• cough;
• nasal congestion;
• severe redness of the mucous membranes (in some cases);
• possible loose stools, vomiting;
• sometimes skin rash;
• duration of viral infection up to 10 days.

Of course, all the symptoms listed above are not necessarily manifested in every case, since different groups of viruses cause diseases with different symptoms. Some provoke an increase in temperature up to 40 degrees, intoxication, but without a runny nose and cough, although the redness of the throat is visible upon examination. Others cause severe runny nose, but low-grade fever without severe weakness or headache. In addition, a viral infection can have either an acute or insidious onset. Much depends on the “specialization” of the virus: some species cause a runny nose, others cause inflammation of the walls of the pharynx, and so on. But a characteristic feature of each such disease is that it lasts no more than 10 days, and from about 4-5 days the symptoms begin to decrease.

Signs of a bacterial infection

To have an idea of ​​how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one, it is important to know the features of the pathogenesis of both types of diseases. Bacterial symptoms are:

• incubation period from 2 to 12 days;
• pain is localized only at the site of the lesion;
• subfebrile temperature (until inflammation is highly developed);
• severe redness of the mucous membranes (only with severe inflammation);
• the formation of purulent abscesses;
• purulent discharge;
• plaque in the throat of a white-yellow color;
• intoxication (lethargy, fatigue, headache);
• apathy;
• decreased or complete lack of appetite;
• exacerbation of migraine;
• the disease lasts more than 10-12 days.

In addition to this symptom complex, a characteristic feature of bacterial infections is that they do not go away on their own, and without treatment, the symptoms only get worse.

That is, if ARVI can pass without specific treatment, it is enough to adhere to the correct regimen, take fortifying agents, vitamins, then bacterial inflammation will progress until antibiotics are taken.

This is the main difference when it comes to colds.

Diagnostics

On the other hand, doctors often face the question of how to distinguish a bacterial infection from a viral one based on more than just symptoms. For this, laboratory tests are carried out, first of all, a general blood test is done. Based on its results, it can be understood whether the disease is caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

A general blood test reflects such indicators as the number of red blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and leukocytes. In the study, the leukocyte formula, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate are determined. Depending on these indicators, the type of infection is determined.

For diagnosis, the most important values ​​​​are the total number of leukocytes, the leukocyte formula (the ratio of several types of leukocytes) and the ESR.

As for the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, it varies depending on the state of the body. Normal ESR in women is from 2 to 20 mm/h, in men - from 2 to 15 mm/h, in children under 12 years old - from 4 to 17 mm/h.

Blood test for SARS

If the disease is caused by a virus, the results of the study will be as follows:

• the number of leukocytes is normal or slightly below normal;
• increased number of lymphocytes and monocytes;
• decrease in the level of neutrophils;
• ESR is slightly reduced or normal.

Blood test for bacterial infection

In cases where various pathogenic bacilli and cocci became the cause of the disease, the study reveals the following clinical picture:

• increase in leukocytes;
• an increase in the level of neutrophils, but it may be the norm;
• decrease in the number of lymphocytes;
• the presence of metamyelocytes, myelocytes;
• increase in ESR.

Not everyone may understand what metamyelocytes and myelocytes are. These are also blood elements that are normally not detected during analysis, since they are contained in the bone marrow. But if there are problems with hematopoiesis, such cells can be detected. Their appearance indicates a severe inflammatory process.

Importance of Differential Diagnosis

It is important to know how a bacterial and viral infection differs, since the whole point is in a different approach to their treatment.

Everyone knows that antibiotic therapy has no effect on viruses, so there is no point in prescribing antibiotics for ARVI.

Rather, they will only harm - after all, such drugs destroy not only pathogenic, but also beneficial microorganisms, which partially form immunity. But with a bacterial infection, the appointment of antibiotics is mandatory, otherwise the body will not cope with the disease, and it will at least become chronic.

This is what diseases are all about. However, despite the differences, the same therapy is sometimes prescribed for bacterial and viral infections. As a rule, this approach is practiced in pediatrics: even with an obvious viral infection, antibiotics are prescribed. The reason is simple: children's immunity is still weak, and in almost all cases a bacterial infection joins the virus, so the prescription of antibiotics is fully justified.

www.nashainfekciya.ru

SARS in children: How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one?

Colds are, unfortunately, a very common phenomenon. Children catch cold much more often than adults. And here's a runny nose, fever, cough. I want to cure the disease as soon as possible. And how do you know what your little one is sick with? After all, this is important in order to properly carry out treatment.

Any physician, being a student, has been studying for several years how viral infections differ from bacterial ones. Parents need to know that the exact nature of the disease can only be determined by a clinical analysis of urine and blood! However, there are distinctive features between viral and bacterial infections that are noticeable even to a person without a medical education.

How does ARVI manifest itself in children?

One of the most common diagnoses is SARS. Stands for acute respiratory viral infections. This is the most common disease in childhood. For infants, it is dangerous because after it a large number of serious complications can occur. There are now about 200 viruses, it is imperative to quickly find out which virus your baby is suffering from.

To distinguish SARS caused by viruses from SARS caused by bacteria, the baby's parents need to know how these diseases proceed.

With SARS in children, the time from the onset of the disease to the onset of symptoms is from one to five days, with bacterial infections this period is longer, up to two weeks. Another special feature: with ARVI in children, the onset of the disease is always very noticeable, the temperature rises sharply, especially at night, and with infections caused by bacteria, the temperature does not exceed 38.

ARVI in children is manifested by the following symptoms:

• a sharp increase in temperature, especially at night, up to 39-40 degrees
• the baby becomes capricious or, conversely, lethargic
• chills, profuse sweating, headaches
• sometimes there may be a sore throat,
• runny nose with clear discharge
• sneezing
• feeling of soreness in the muscles

With SARS in children, especially at the very beginning of the disease, the virus that affects the upper respiratory tract of the child always causes allergic reactions, swelling. In this case, the child may well not be allergic. However, in the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, it is advisable for the baby to give antiallergic drugs.

The characteristic signs of a viral infection are a runny nose with watery clear discharge, as well as redness of the baby's eyes. In bacterial infections, these symptoms are extremely rare.

We treat SARS at home

It is very important that a doctor makes a diagnosis for an infant. At the first sign that the baby is sick, call the doctor at home. Only a doctor can accurately assess the complexity of the disease, its nature and prescribe treatment. An independent desire of parents to treat an infant can result in serious complications. Don't take unnecessary risks!

For any type of colds, the main thing is that the baby needs plenty of fluids. Even a child under the age of one year can drink up to one and a half liters of liquid. The drink should not be hot, it is better if it is fortified drinks, fruit drinks, decoctions.

In the room where your baby is during the illness, you need to carry out wet cleaning every day and be sure to ventilate it. Viruses remain viable for more than 24 hours in dry, warm and dusty air, and die instantly in clean and cool air.

Newborn babies do not have the opportunity to blow their nose. If you do not clean their nose during a runny nose, bacterial complications may occur. It is necessary to clean the nasal passages of a newborn very carefully with turundas or a small pear.

With SARS, antibiotics are useless; We need antivirals here. But with bacterial infections, antibiotics are effective and necessary. Parents need to remember that antibiotics cause the death of all bacteria, and beneficial ones too. After antibiotic treatment, the baby almost always develops intestinal dysbacteriosis.

Parents need to remember that uncontrolled intake of any drugs is deadly for newborns. The first thing you should do if your child falls ill is to consult a pediatrician.

Forewarned is forearmed - SARS prevention

Viral infections are transmitted through the air, through things that have got the virus and through personal contact.

Viral infections usually occur in autumn, winter and spring. Most often provokes the disease hypothermia. That is why it is important for parents to monitor how the baby is dressed. During the walk, you need to check with your hand whether the baby’s hands are warm. Make sure that the child does not overheat. A sweaty baby gets supercooled very quickly and can get sick.

During epidemics, you need to reduce your child's stay in places where there may be patients: shops, clinics, public transport.

If one of the adults or other children in the family is sick, as far as possible, it is necessary to isolate him from the newborn in another room. If this is not possible, then the sick person must definitely put on a mask on his face and change it regularly.

The main prevention of SARS is to increase the immunity of your little one. It has long been known that the state of immunity of the baby is more than two-thirds determined by the way of life. Regular walks in the fresh air all year round, observance of basic hygiene rules, sleeping in a ventilated room, healthy natural nutrition is what will help the immune system.

It is important to teach your child to harden from early childhood. It could be starting with a wet towel rubdown, a simple gymnastic exercise that you do together. Disease is always easier to prevent than to win.

leave a comment

maminclub.kz

How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one?

Viruses and bacteria are the main causes of ARVI and acute respiratory infections. But they have a completely different structure and mechanism of development in the human body, therefore, the approach to the treatment of inflammatory pathologies should correspond to the pathogen. To develop the right therapy, you need to know exactly how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one, pay attention to their specific symptoms.

How is a viral infection different from a bacterial one?

A combination of protein and nucleic acids that enters a living cell and modifies it is a virus. For distribution and development, it necessarily needs a carrier.

A bacterium is a complete living cell that can reproduce on its own. To function, it needs only favorable conditions.

Differences between viral and bacterial infections are the causative agent of the disease. But it can be quite difficult to notice the difference between them, especially if the pathology has affected the respiratory tract - the symptoms of both types of the disease are very similar.

How to determine the bacterial or viral nature of the infection?

The differences between the characteristic signs of the described forms of lesions are so insignificant that even doctors do not make an accurate diagnosis only on the basis of the clinical manifestations of the diseases. The best way to distinguish a viral pathology from a bacterial infection is through a clinical blood test. Counting the number of specific cells of the biological fluid helps to accurately identify the causative agent of the disease.

You can independently try to determine the nature of the pathology by the following symptoms:

1. Incubation period:

• viral infection (VI) - up to 5 days;
• bacterial infection (BI) - up to 12 days.

2. Localization of inflammation:

• VI - affects all organs and systems of the body, including the musculoskeletal system (breaks bones, joints), skin (rashes);
• BI - pain syndrome and discomfort are concentrated only in the place of the inflammatory process.

3. Body temperature:

• VI - high fever, more than 38 degrees;
• BI - subfebrile fever, intense hyperthermia is observed only with severe inflammation.

4. Duration of the disease:

• VI - from 3 to 10 days;
• BI - more than 12 days.

5. General condition:

• VI - weakness, headache, drowsiness, feeling of "brokenness";
• BI is a clearly localized pain syndrome, purulent abscesses or discharge.

womanadvice.ru

How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one

The question of how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one is acute in diagnosis, because Accurate identification of the pathogen may be of paramount importance in initiating appropriate and successful treatment of a bacterial or viral infection in children and adults. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the fact that a viral infection / bacterial infection in children, as well as the symptoms of a viral infection / signs of a bacterial infection in the pediatric generation, may differ from how a viral disease or bacterial disease can proceed in the adult population. A good example would be to determine how, for example, SARS (respiratory ailment) differs from bacterial tonsillitis, despite the fact that a certain symptom (or group of symptoms), especially at the beginning of SARS, may have a manifestation similar to how tonsillitis manifests itself, but with viruses, antibiotics are not used, tk. they are ineffective against these pathogens.

The same applies to the main manifestations. So, a headache with a viral infection, as well as a high temperature, do not differ from a bacterial infection.

At first glance, it seems that viral and bacterial infections in a child and an adult do not differ. However, there are differences, and they are significant. For example, the treatment of a bacterial infection suggests something else (antibiotics) than a viral one, in particular, SARS, in which bed rest and plenty of fluids are recommended.

Thus, the question of how to identify, recognize and subsequently cure diseases such as viral and bacterial infection is acute.

First of all, you should find out how a viral illness can manifest itself (besides how contagious it is) and what are the signs of a viral infection, in particular, SARS.

Warning! This article is just a guideline. It is up to the attending physician to determine whether a virus or a bacterium is present. He also decides how to treat the disease (introduce antibiotics or not). Regardless of the causative agent of the disease, an infected person should not attempt to cross the disease! Remember, with SARS, antibiotics, in most cases, do not work, and with insufficient treatment, the problem may reappear.

A fundamental fact in how to distinguish a bacterial infection from a viral one lies in the differences between bacteria and viruses in size, nucleic acids, anatomy, morphology and metabolic activity. Generally, bacteria are larger than viruses. The size of bacterial cells ranges from a few microns to a micrometer. Virus particles, by comparison, are smaller, on the order of only a few nanometers or microns. A bacterial cell has both NAs (nucleic acids), DNA and RNA, while viral particles have only one (either DNA or RNA). A virus is not a cell. Unlike bacterial cells, the virus has no metabolic activity and needs a living host cell to proliferate. Viruses are grown in living cell cultures (replication of the virus occurs inside the cell), while bacteria can grow in nutritious soils.

Characteristics of a viral infection

Incubation period

It ranges from 1 to 5 days, depending on the pathogen. At this time, the first signs of the disease begin to appear, such as cough, runny nose, fever.

prodromal phase

This period is characterized by such phenomena as mood changes and fatigue.

The initial phase of the disease

Viral infections develop quickly and are characterized by vivid symptoms. It comes to a sharp rise in temperature up to fever, severe runny nose, headache, cough ... These manifestations, however, are not mandatory - sometimes local signs may be present. Allergic manifestations affecting the eyes or nose are often present.

A viral infection usually lasts for about a week.

Treatment

Rest, taking antiviral drugs, fluids. Antibiotic drugs are not recommended, because. not only are they not effective against viruses, but they can also cause complications.

Characteristics of a bacterial infection

Incubation period

This period in the case of the presence of a bacterium as the causative agent of the disease has a much larger range than with a virus - from 2 days to 2 weeks.

prodromal phase

In most cases, it is absent.

The initial phase of the disease

With a bacterial infection, there is mainly no fever (if the temperature rises, then no higher than 38ºС). In addition, unlike a viral disease, a bacterial one is characterized by localization of manifestations (sinusitis, otitis media ...). Allergic manifestations are absent.

Treatment

Usually, antibiotics are prescribed.

General properties of bacteria

Bacteria belong to the Prokaryotae region. Their cells do not have a nucleus or a nuclear membrane. What is important is the classification of bacteria. Its purpose is to organize bacteria into groups (taxa). The basic taxonomic unit is the species. Species are a set of bacterial strains that share constant characteristics and differ significantly from other strains (groups). A bacterial strain is a population resulting from a single microbial cell.

Size and shape of bacteria

The size of bacteria ranges from a micron to a micrometer - observed at the maximum magnification of an optical microscope. Most pathological bacteria are 1-3 nm in size, however, their size is also affected by the quality of the nutrient soil.

Spherical shape (so-called cocci) - if they form colonies, then they are further divided into diplococci (colonies consisting of two cells), tetracocci (four cells in a colony), streptococci (chain colony), staphylococci (racemose colonies) and sarcins (cubic colonies).

Stick form (rods or bacilli) - these bacteria can gather in colonies in twos (diplobacilli) or in chains (streptobacilli), and also form palisades.

Curved shape - Bacteria formed in this way do not form colonies, and include vibrios (short slightly curved rods), spirilla (slightly wavy stripes) or spirochetes (helical rods).

Fibrous form - filamentous colonies.

Branched form - the creation of either signs of branches or full branches. The second group can create bacterial mycelia.

bacterial spores

Some types of G+ soil bacteria respond to certain changes in the environment (eg dryness, loss of nutrients) by sporulation. Important in terms of medicine are the genera Bacillus and Clostridium. The shape, size and storage of spores are important for the detection of spore-forming bacteria. The presence of calcium and magnesium ions is essential for cell sporulation. Once the spores are created, the parent cell disintegrates and the spores are released into the environment. If they get into favorable conditions, they germinate and create a full-fledged plant cell. Spores are very resistant to temperature, UV radiation, drying, disinfectants (for example, formaldehyde, some iodine preparations are sporicidal).

Main characteristics of viruses

Viruses are somewhere on the border between living and non-living organisms. They contain only one type of nucleic acid, DNA or RNA. Their multiplication is done in such a way that the host cell processes the viral genetic information as if it were its own. Viruses do not reproduce on their own, they are propagated by host cells. Therefore, in general, viruses spread (copy) only in living cells. For their cultivation in the laboratory, it is necessary to have a live cell culture. Viruses do not contain enzymes, or only a few enzymes, necessary to enter and initiate the activity of the affected cells.

A virion is a viral particle. The nucleocapsid is the nucleus. We are talking, in fact, about the nucleic acid and the capsid, which makes up the viral "storage". The viral envelope is usually formed by proteins and lipoproteins.

The size and shape of viruses

The smallest viruses include picornaviruses with sizes of 20-30 nm. On the other hand, poxviruses and the herpes virus are among the largest. Viruses can only be observed under an electron microscope, where they look like crystals. They are divided according to the type of capsid and the type of NK. Cubic capsids have, for example, adenoviruses and parvoviruses. Cubic capsid in the shell has a cytomegalovirus. There are also uncoated viruses, such as poxviruses.

Separation of viruses by NK type

Enveloped RNA viruses - retroviruses, coronaviruses, paramyxoviruses.

RNA viruses without an envelope are picornaviruses.

Enveloped DNA viruses are herpesviruses.

Non-enveloped DNA viruses - adenoviruses, parvoviruses, poxviruses, parvoviruses.

The most important viral diseases in humans

Viruses cause a large number of serious infectious diseases. There is an effective vaccine against some of these diseases, and against some drugs have been developed that specifically block the viral enzyme.

Antibiotic treatment has not the slightest effect on viral diseases. Excessive use of antibiotics, on the contrary, has a positive effect on the creation of resistant viral strains.

The most common ailment is the common cold caused by rhinoviruses, coronaviruses or influenza virus.

The most common diseases include:

1. Influenza (influenza virus).
2. Colds, fever, catarrh or inflammation of the upper respiratory tract (rhinoviruses, coronaviruses).
3. Herpes (herpes virus).
4. Rubella (rubella virus).
5. Measles.
6. Poliomyelitis (poliomyelitis).
7. Parotitis.
8. Viral hepatitis - "jaundice" (hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H virus - we are talking about various viruses that affect the liver, the most common are types A, B and C, of ​​which type B and C can cause liver cancer).
9. Human papillomavirus infection (warts, some genotypes also cause cervical cancer).
10. Rabies (rabies virus, if antiserum is not filed on time, 100% fatal).
11. AIDS (HIV, human immunodeficiency virus).
12. Smallpox (pox virus).
13. Chickenpox (herpesvirus type 3 causes shingles).
14. Fever, infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus).
15. Hemorrhagic fever (Ebola, Marburg and others).
16. Encephalitis.
17. atypical pneumonia.
18. Gastroenteritis.
19. Chlamydia.

Conclusion

As can be seen from the information provided above, there are significant differences between a bacterium and a virus, respectively, between a bacterial and a viral infection. They consist not only in the nature of the disease, its course and accompanying individual symptoms or groups of symptoms, but also in therapeutic methods.

Anatomical and physiological differences between microorganisms require a different approach to the treatment of diseases caused by them. Correct identification of the source of infection is essential for the implementation of appropriate treatment.

More rare, but at the same time, dangerous are ailments caused by bacteria. It is more likely to cause severe, often life-long health complications. Therefore, determining the type of disease should be entrusted to a specialist who will not only identify the cause of the disease, but also prescribe the optimally suitable method of treatment.

Remember that self-treatment for an ignorant person is unacceptable!

In the spring-autumn period, the incidence of respiratory infections increases. Disease symptoms may vary. It depends on the type of pathogenic bacterium, its localization, the physiological characteristics of the body and the degree of spread of the inflammatory process. In respiratory diseases in the initial stages, there is usually no specific diagnosis, because a specific disease can be suspected only by clinical symptoms.

It is important to start treatment on time and prevent infectious pathogens from causing complications.

bacterial infection

Bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract can be caused by bacteria such as corynebacterium, Haemophilus influenzae, whooping cough, meningococcus, pneumococcus, streptococcus, and others. The route of transmission is predominantly airborne and contact. The frequency of damage and susceptibility depend on the degree of reactivity of each individual. Individuals with a weakened immune system will get sick with any infections much more often.

A bacterial cold requires the appointment of antibacterial drugs (antibiotics) to prevent the development of complications in other organs and systems.

There are several periods of the course of a bacterial infection:

1. Incubation- the time from the first contact with the diseased to the clinical manifestations of the disease. One of the main differences between a bacterial infection and a viral one is a longer incubation period: from 3 to 14 days. In lengthening this period, an important role is played by the susceptibility of the body, stress, overwork or hypothermia. The causative agent, getting into the respiratory tract, may not immediately cause the disease, but a weakened immune system will provoke the development of the disease after a few days.
2. Premonitory- the time of the first manifestations of the disease. In some bacterial infections, this period is absent, and the infection itself is a complication of an acute respiratory viral infection. Viral begins with an erased picture and is manifested mainly by a general deterioration in the condition. Bacterial - has a specific point of application, all the symptoms of the disease will be associated with it.

For example, streptococcal tonsillitis. The causative agent is group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, which acts on its point of application - the tonsils and is manifested by tonsillitis or tonsillitis. But if angina is not treated with antibacterial drugs, streptococcus is able to affect the heart and joints, which are also its point of application in case of dissemination (spread) of the pathogen through the blood. In such situations, acquired heart defects and joint deformities can be observed.

Angina is often observed in children.

Pathology can cause various viruses, chlamydia. If there is no runny nose, cough, manifestations of conjunctivitis with angina, this is a streptococcal form. It can penetrate into the upper respiratory tract from the skin, where it is found as an opportunistic microflora. You can not postpone going to the doctor, especially if the inflammatory process develops in a child. Due to the physiological characteristics of the child's body, the infection tends to settle on the tonsils and degenerate into a chronic form.

Localization of a bacterial infection

The clinic of individual forms of bacterial lesions of the upper respiratory tract has its own characteristics, often they are associated with the localization of pathogenic bacteria:

Disease	Localization	Symptoms
Bacterial pharyngitis	down the throat	pain or sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, if the infection has already gone down, then the presence of a cough is noted; bad breath, due to the release of metabolic products of bacteria in the throat; headache, weakness, general fatigue; the presence of a skin rash, especially common with streptococcal infections and more often in children
Bacterial rhinosinusitis	Inflammatory process occurring in the nasal mucosa and sinuses	runny nose with green-yellow discharge, pain in the projection of the sinus sinuses, which can radiate (shoot) into the ear or jaw; a sore throat; nasal congestion; cough, more pronounced in the morning; fever, more common in children
Epiglottitis	Inflammatory disease occurring in the epiglottis	sore throat; increased salivation, hoarseness of voice; cough, mostly dry; dyspnea
Laryngotracheitis	Inflammatory lesions of the larynx and trachea	loss or hoarseness of the voice; cough, dry or barking (common manifestation of laryngitis in children); dyspnea; apnea, i.e. breath holding

Inflammation is not always local in nature; within a few days, bacteria colonize nearby anatomical structures, and the pathological process becomes more widespread. At the same time, the symptoms of intoxication increase, the specific clinical picture becomes blurred. Difficulty in diagnosis and treatment. The volume of ongoing therapeutic manipulations increases, and the rehabilitation period is prolonged.

The difference between the pathological process depending on the pathogen

A person is able to distinguish a bacterial infection from a viral one on his own, for this you will need to observe the condition and determine the symptoms, the timing of their occurrence and other features of the disease:

It is possible to distinguish a bacterial infection from a viral one at the onset of the disease with a careful analysis of the symptoms. It is important to start treatment according to the etiology of the disease as soon as possible.

How to treat bacterial diseases of the upper respiratory tract?

Bacterial respiratory diseases require hospitalization of patients only if complications develop or if there is a pronounced intoxication syndrome. The doctor examines, conducts the necessary examinations and prescribes appropriate therapy, which the patient is able to carry out independently at home. Treatment regimen:

1. Antibacterial therapy. The main purpose of the use of antibiotics is the destruction of the pathogen, reducing the risk of chronic infection, preventing complications and reducing clinical manifestations. Broad-spectrum drugs are usually used. Only a doctor is competent to help with the choice, since there are many nuances for certain types of pathogens, the age of the patient and the presence of concomitant pathologies are taken into account.
2. Prebiotics and probiotics. When antibiotics are prescribed for a course of up to 7 days, lactobacillus preparations are taken together as a preventive measure for the development of dysbacteriosis. Antibacterial agents are detrimental to the entire microflora. You need to take Linex, Bifidumbacterin, etc. They contribute to recovery and increase immunity, by restoring the intestinal microflora.
3. Mucolytics and expectorantsdrugs are prescribed for dry cough, in order to expel sputum. If not, then it is advisable to take antitussives.

For detoxification, Regidron is used inside, which helps to remove bacteria and their toxins from the body.

If the process of bacterial inflammation is limited, then you can stop at local antibiotic washing, without systemic administration of the drug. An aqueous solution of chlorhexidine and Miramistin have a proven antimicrobial effect. They are indicated for local irrigation of the throat, nasal passages, etc.

Broad spectrum antibiotic

First, the patient is shown bed rest, for 3-5 days at home, with limitation of hypothermia and visits to crowded places. Intoxication of the body implies depletion and loss of important trace elements, so you need to drink more clean water and include fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet.

Prevention of the development of a bacterial infection contributes to the prevention of:

• vitamin therapy;
• exclusion of stress and frequent, prolonged hypothermia of the body;
• the use of preventive vaccinations;
• correct diet;
• compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.

Alternative medicine

To cope with a bacterial infection without antibiotics will not work, but treatment with folk remedies has a pronounced auxiliary effect. Vitamin and herbal preparations help relieve intoxication, eliminate signs of inflammation, and strengthen the immune system. With the development of a strong cough, pharmacy fees based on coltsfoot, licorice root and chamomile will help (they are taken 3 times a day for 1-2 weeks):

Raspberry, blackcurrant, chamomile have a good anti-inflammatory effect. Decoctions and herbal teas based on them have no restrictions and contraindications for bacterial infections. They are used both at the time of treatment and during the rehabilitation period. After recovery, a sparing work regime and restriction of physical activity for 1-2 weeks are shown.