It is quite possible to understand how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial "cold", or rather, the general condition of a child or adult during a cold . This does not require special knowledge. One has only to listen to the advice of pediatricians and carefully monitor the patient's condition. Which, in turn, will serve as a good help in the correct diagnosis and the choice of medical tactics.
How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial? Komarovsky gives advice
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’s worth understanding how viruses work.
Their fundamental feature is that they are not able to multiply without other cells. Viruses invade the cell and force it to produce copies of it. Thus, in each infected cell there are several thousand. And the cell in this case most often dies or becomes incapable of performing its functions, which causes a person certain symptoms of the disease.
Viruses are selective in cell selection.
By the way, another feature of viruses can tell how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one. Komarovsky in his works claims that these microorganisms are very selective in choosing a suitable cell for reproduction. And they capture only the one that they can then get to work for themselves. For example, hepatitis virus can multiply only 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 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 that 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 also be understood by the characteristics of the course of the viral infection. They depend on which cells and in what quantity were affected by it. It is clear that the penetration, for example, of encephalitis, of viruses into brain cells is a much more dangerous condition than their defeat of the nasal mucosa in influenza.
The course of the disease is also affected by the fact that human cells change over time in a certain way. So, due to the fact that in babies the main liver cells (hepatocytes) are not yet formed, it is difficult for viruses to develop in them, and therefore babies do not get hepatitis A for up to a year. In older children, this disease goes quite easily, but in adults, hepatitis - serious disease. The same applies to rubella, measles and chickenpox viruses.
By the way, in some cases, the virus, having penetrated the cell, does not develop in it, but subsides, being there in a "sleeping" state, ready at the opportunity to put us before the question of how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection in adults and children.
SARS: signs of these diseases
In our reasoning, we should not miss the fact that not one disease is attributed to SARS, but a whole group of ailments based on infection with a large number of different viruses.
In order to distinguish one virus from another, tests are required. But they are carried out if necessary by doctors, and for parents it will be enough to remember how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one.
The most characteristic sign of ARVI is a stormy beginning. If the upper respiratory tract is affected, then you can observe:
- a strong rise in temperature, up to 40 ° C (it all depends on the pathogen);
- acute rhinitis - transparent mucus is abundantly secreted from the nose, which is often accompanied by lacrimation;
- sore throat and pain appear in the throat, the voice becomes hoarse, a dry cough occurs;
- the patient feels symptoms of general intoxication: muscle aches, weakness, chills, headache and lack of appetite.
How Eugene Komarovsky describes bacterial infections
Explaining how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection in a child, Komarovsky separately talks about the characteristics of bacteria.
Bacteria are microorganisms that, unlike viruses, can develop independently. The main thing for them is to find a suitable place for nutrition and reproduction, and this causes diseases in the human body.
To combat bacteria, many drugs have been invented (antibiotics). But these microorganisms have one more unique feature - they mutate, adapting to new conditions and complicating 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 inflammation in the lungs, and on the skin, and in the bones, and in the intestines.
What are bacteria dangerous for the human body
And, of course, the main thing on the question of how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection is to determine the harm that certain microorganisms can cause.
If we talk about bacteria, then it itself, as a rule, does not cause much damage to our body. The greatest danger lies in the products of her life - toxins, which are nothing more than poisons. It is their specific effect on our body that explains the symptoms of each particular disease.
Both the bacterium and its toxins the human body reacts in the same way as viruses, producing antibodies.
By the way, in most bacteria, toxins are produced during their death. And they are called endotoxins. And in 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, diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria, gas gangrene, botulism and anthrax occur.
What are the symptoms of bacteria caused by respiratory disease
Knowing how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection, you will not miss the beginning of a new wave of the disease.
A bacterial infection quite often joins an existing viral infection, since the latter manages to greatly weaken the patient's immunity. That is, otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis or other diseases join the already existing symptoms of SARS.
The onset of a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract is usually not pronounced (the temperature rises slightly and gradually, the general condition changes imperceptibly), but the course may be more severe. And if a viral infection is expressed by a general malaise, then a bacterial infection, as a rule, has a clear dislocation. That is, you can always understand what exactly the bacteria struck - the nose (sinusitis), the ear (acute, moderate or purulent otitis media) or the throat (bacterial tonsillitis).
- Thick purulent discharge appears from the nose. The cough is most often wet, and sputum is difficult to resolve.
- A raid forms on the tonsils. There are signs of bronchitis.
Unfortunately, bacteria, as you have already seen, can cause more serious problems - bronchitis, pneumonia, or even meningitis. Therefore, the fight against them with antibiotics is urgently needed to prevent the severe development of the disease. But remember, only a doctor prescribes these medicines!
How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection 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 it is even slightly lower than normal. The leukocyte formula can only change due to an increase in the number of monocytes and lymphocytes, as well as a decrease in the number of neutrophils. ESR may increase slightly, although in cases with severe ARVI, it may turn out to 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 most often quite high.
The main signs by which you can distinguish between viral and bacterial infections
So, let's summarize how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection in children and adults. Common signs of all viral infections can be summarized as follows:
- from the moment of infection to the first manifestations of the disease, one to three days pass;
- symptoms of intoxication and allergies to viruses last another day or three;
- and the disease itself begins with a high fever, and its first signs are rhinitis, pharyngitis and conjunctivitis.
Bacteria, unlike viruses, develop more slowly. Very often, a bacterial infection overlaps an existing viral disease. The main sign of a bacterial infection is the clearly defined place of its “application”. And now once again we list the signs of a bacterial infection:
- slow onset, often manifested as a second wave of viral infection;
- a long (up to 2 weeks) period from the onset of infection to the first manifestations of the disease;
- not very high temperature and clear severity of the lesion.
Do not delay with a doctor's consultation!
Knowing how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection in a child by a blood test and by common signs, do not try to draw conclusions on your own and prescribe treatment.
And in the situations listed below, emergency medical assistance is urgently needed:
- the patient's temperature rises to 40 ° C and above and, moreover, is poorly strayed by antipyretic drugs;
- consciousness becomes confused, or fainting occurs;
- a rash or minor hemorrhage occurs on the body;
- pain in the chest is fixed in the chest during breathing, as well as its difficulty (an especially serious sign is the release of pink sputum when coughing);
- green or brown discharge with blood impurities appears from the respiratory tract;
- chest pains that are independent of breathing occur.
Do not hesitate to see a doctor, and the patient's health will be restored!