How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection? How to determine - a viral or bacterial infection?

To understand how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial "cold", or rather, in the general condition of a child or an adult during a cold disease, it is quite possible. This does not require special knowledge. One has only to listen to the advice of pediatricians and carefully observe the condition of the patient. That, in turn, will serve as a good help in the correct diagnosis and choice of treatment tactics.

How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection ? Komarovsky gives advice

The famous pediatrician Eugene Komarovsky argues that it is very important for parents to understand the main differences between viruses and bacteria. To do this, it is necessary to understand how the viruses work.

Their fundamental feature is that they are not able to reproduce without other cells. Viruses are embedded inside the cell and force it to produce their copies. Thus, in each infected cell there are several thousand of them. And the cell in this case most often dies or becomes unable to perform its functions, which causes the person certain symptoms of the disease.

Viruses are selective in cell selection

By the way, one more feature of viruses can prompt, how to distinguish a virus infection from bacterial. Komarovsky in his works asserts that these microorganisms are very selective in choosing a cell suitable for reproduction. And they capture only the one that they can then force to work for themselves. For example, the hepatitis virus can only reproduce in liver cells, and the influenza virus prefers cells of the mucous membranes of the bronchi or trachea.

In addition, it can cause certain diseases only in specific biological species. For example, precisely because the smallpox virus could exist only in the human body, it completely disappeared from nature after the introduction of mandatory vaccinations, which were carried out throughout the world for 22 years.

What determines the severity of a viral infection

How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection can be understood by the specific features of the course of a viral infection. They depend on what kind of cells and how many were affected by it. It is clear that penetration, for example in encephalitis, of viruses into brain cells is a much more dangerous condition than the damage to the nasal mucosa during influenza.

The course of the disease is also affected by the fact that human cells during a lifetime change in a certain way. So, due to the fact that the kids have no basic liver cells (hepatocytes) yet, viruses can not develop in them, and therefore children under the age of almost do not suffer from hepatitis A. For older children, this disease passes quite easily, but in adults, hepatitis - serious disease. The same applies to viruses that cause rubella, measles and chickenpox.

By the way, in some cases the virus, having penetrated into the cage, does not develop in it, but calms down, being there in a "dormant" state, ready to put us in a convenient case before the question of how to distinguish a viral infection from bacterial in adults and children.

SARS: signs of these diseases

In our reasoning, one should not miss the fact that many diseases are referred to as SARS, but a whole group of ailments, which are based on infection with a large number of various viruses.

In order to distinguish one virus from another, it is required to make tests. But they are carried out by doctors if necessary, and for parents it will be enough to remember how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection.

The most characteristic sign of acute respiratory viral infection is a rapid onset. If the upper respiratory tract is affected, then one can observe:

• A strong temperature rise, up to 40 ° C (all depends on the pathogen);
• Acute rhinitis - the transparent mucus is abundantly allocated from the nose, which is often accompanied by lacrimation;
• In the throat appear perspiration and pain, the voice becomes hoarse, a dry cough arises;
• The patient feels symptoms of general intoxication: aching muscles, weakness, chills, headache and lack of appetite.

As Evgeny Komarovsky describes bacterial infections

Explaining how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection in a child, Komarowski separately tells about the peculiarities of bacteria.

Bacteria are microorganisms that, unlike viruses, can develop independently. For them, the main thing is to find a suitable place for nutrition and reproduction, and this causes diseases in the human body.

To combat bacteria invented a lot of medicines (antibiotics). But these microorganisms have one more unique feature - they mutate, adapting to new conditions and hampering the process of getting rid of them.

Bacteria most often do not require a specific habitat, like viruses. Staphylococcus, for example, can exist anywhere, causing inflammatory processes in the lungs, and on the skin, and in bones, and in the intestines.

Than bacteria are dangerous for the human body

And, of course, the main thing in the question of how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection is the determination of the harm that certain microorganisms can cause.

Speaking of bacteria, it does not usually cause much damage to our body. The greatest danger is contained in the products of its vital activity - toxins, which are nothing more than poisons. It is their specific effect on our body that explains the symptoms of each particular disease.

And the bacterium, and its toxins, the human body reacts the same way as the viruses, producing antibodies.

By the way, most bacteria produce toxins in the process of their death. And they are called endotoxins. And for a small number of bacteria, toxins are released during the life process (exotoxins). They are considered the most dangerous poisons of all known. Under their influence, there are diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria, gas gangrene, botulism and anthrax.

How symptoms of respiratory tract disease caused by bacteria look

Knowing how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection, you will not miss the onset of a new wave of the disease.

Bacterial infection quite often joins the already available viral, since the latter has time to greatly weaken the immunity of the patient. That is, the already existing symptoms of acute respiratory infections are associated with otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis, or other diseases.

The onset of bacterial infection of the respiratory tract, as a rule, is not expressed (the temperature rises slightly and gradually, the general state changes imperceptibly), but the leak may be more severe. And if the virus infection is expressed by a general malaise, the bacterial infection, as a rule, has a clear dislocation. That is, you can always understand what the bacteria - nose (sinusitis), ear (acute, middle or purulent otitis) or the throat (bacterial angina) affected exactly.

• From the nose there are thick purulent discharge. Cough is most often wet, and sputum is difficult to leave.
• The tonsils form a plaque. There are signs of bronchitis.

Unfortunately, bacteria, as you have already seen, can cause more serious problems - bronchitis, pneumonia or even meningitis. Therefore, combating them with antibiotics is extremely necessary to prevent the serious development of the disease. But remember, these medicines are prescribed only by a doctor!

How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial by a blood test

Of course, the main difference between bacterial and viral infections will be the results of blood tests.

So, in the presence of viruses, the number of leukocytes does not increase, and sometimes even slightly below the norm. The leukocyte formula can change only due to an increase in the number of monocytes and lymphocytes, as well as a decrease in the number of neutrophils. ESR at the same time may increase slightly, although in cases with severe course of SARS, it may be high.

Bacterial infections entail, as a rule, an increase in the number of leukocytes, which is provoked by an increase in the number of neutrophils. The percentage of lymphocytes decreases, but the number of stab neutrophils and young forms, myelocytes, increases. ESR is usually quite high.

The main signs by which you can distinguish between viral and bacterial infections

So, let's sum up how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection in children and adults. Common signs of all viral infections can be reduced to the following list:

• From the moment of infection to the first manifestations of the disease passes one to three days;
• Another day or three last symptoms of intoxication and allergy to viruses;
• And the disease itself begins with a high temperature, and its first signs are rhinitis, pharyngitis and conjunctivitis.

Bacteria, in contrast to viruses, develop more slowly. Very often a bacterial infection is layered on an already existing viral disease. The main sign of bacterial infection is the clearly expressed place of its "application". And now once again we list the signs of bacterial infection:

• A slow onset, often manifested as a second wave of viral infection;
• Long (up to 2 weeks) period from the onset of infection to the first manifestations of the disease;
• Not a very high temperature and a clear expression of the lesion focus.

Do not delay consultation with a doctor!

Knowing how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection in a child by analyzing blood and by general signs, do not try to make conclusions on your own and prescribe a treatment.

And in the situations listed below, emergency specialist assistance is extremely necessary:

• The temperature of the patient rises to 40 ° C and above and besides it is badly knocked down by antipyretic agents;
• Consciousness becomes confused, or fainting;
• On the body there is a rash or small hemorrhages;
• In the chest, painful sensations are detected during breathing, as well as its difficulty (especially a serious sign is the allocation of pink sputum when coughing);
• From the respiratory tract, there are discharges of green or brown color, having impurities of blood;
• There are chest pains that do not depend on breathing.

Do not hesitate to consult a doctor, and the patient's health will be restored!