How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial infection?

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

What is the difference between a viral infection and a bacterial infection?

The combination of protein and nucleic acids, which enters the living cell and mutates it, is a virus. For distribution and development, a carrier is necessarily necessary.

The bacterium is a full-fledged living cell that can reproduce itself. To function, she needs only favorable conditions.

Differences between viral and bacterial infections are in the causative agent of the disease. But to notice the difference between them is quite difficult, especially if the pathology has struck the airways - the symptoms of both types of disease are very similar.

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

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

Independently to try to define or determine character of a pathology it is possible on such signs:

1. The incubation period:

2. Localization of inflammation:

3. Body temperature:

4. Duration of the disease:

5. General condition: