How do viruses proceed? What is the difference between a virus and an infection. Blood picture in bacterial infections

Diseases caused by hypothermia of the body are popularly called "colds". Their course is very similar to a viral infection.

However, there is a difference between these pathologies. And since the treatment of these diseases is different, the doctor must be able to distinguish one from the other.

Adequate diagnosis is also needed because under the guise of a common disease, a dangerous influenza virus can lurk, the treatment of which requires the mandatory intervention of doctors.

Otherwise, the disease can become more complicated and lead to more serious pathologies.

How to tell the difference between a cold and a viral infection

To learn how to distinguish a cold from SARS (acute respiratory viral infection), you need to have a complete understanding of these diseases. Doctors with many years of experience are accustomed to refer to any infection of the respiratory tract as the general term "ARI".

Of course, this is not wrong, but this concept does not at all indicate the type of pathogen that provoked the symptoms of the disease. The causative agents of seasonal infections are divided into two groups: bacteria and viruses. This is the fundamental difference between these two diseases.

All viral infections are included in the SARS group. These include:

1. Flu.
2. Parainfluenza.
3. RSV and their subtypes.
4. Rhinoviruses.
5. Adenoviruses.

flu virus symptoms

Influenza, which inevitably breaks out every year with the onset of cold weather, also applies to viruses that affect the respiratory (respiratory) tract. But the flu can provoke serious complications and is always very difficult.

All acute respiratory viral diseases have common characteristics. For the occurrence of pathology, banal hypothermia or overeating of ice cream is not enough. Infection usually occurs by airborne droplets from a sick person to a healthy one.

It is also possible for the household route of infection to enter the body, that is, through:

• pieces of furniture;
• toys;
• dishes;
• banknotes;
• food.

But such an infection with the flu occurs much less frequently. But direct contact with a sick person, which can occur in the service, in public transport, in a store, is most often the cause of influenza infection.

And respiratory tract viruses are very short. A person begins to feel unwell approximately 2-3 days after infection. And the symptoms of the flu are growing rapidly.

From the first signs to a sharp deterioration in the condition usually takes about two hours. This is due to the fact that once in a favorable environment, pathogenic microorganisms begin to multiply actively. At the same time, they affect the mucous epithelium of the upper respiratory tract, which provokes the corresponding symptoms:

1. watery discharge from the nasal passages;
2. sore throat;
3. dry cough;
4. increase in body temperature.

The severity of symptoms is directly proportional to the virulence of the infection. With influenza, the temperature may jump to 39-40 on the first day. However, with a weak infection, the temperature may not rise. Most often, subfebrile condition is observed.

The prodromal period of the disease, when the body has not yet responded to the virus, but the concentration of the infection is already high, also causes a deterioration in well-being. An infected person has the following symptoms:

• general malaise;
• lethargy;
• pain in the eyes and tearing;
• nasal congestion in the absence of discharge from it;
• loss of appetite.

The danger of a viral infection lies in the fact that a bacterial one can follow it with a second wave. This is due to the fact that local immunity is weakened by the primary virus, that is, the path for pathogenic bacteria is open. They begin to activate on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.

That is why situations arise in which a person seems to begin to recover, but after a while he again feels a deterioration in well-being. However, if the treatment is adequately formulated, this does not happen.

In allergic patients, a viral infection often provokes a hypersensitivity reaction, in which even ordinary food can cause allergies.

SARS, depending on the pathogen, lead to various diseases of the respiratory tract. The doctor can diagnose the following pathologies in a patient:

1. Pharyngitis.
2. Rhinitis.
3. Otitis.
4. Sinusitis.
5. Bronchitis.
6. Tracheitis.
7. Tonsillitis.
8. Laryngitis.

What is a cold and what are its symptoms?

To be able to distinguish a cold (ARI) from a viral infection (ARVI), you need to know the main symptoms of the first and the causes of its occurrence.

A cold is a consequence of hypothermia of the body, which can be obtained:

• when hands and feet freeze;
• when ignoring the headdress in the cold season;
• in wet weather;
• in a draft;
• swimming in open water.

Under the influence of cold, a microbial inflammatory process begins to occur in the human respiratory tract. What are the main characteristics of diseases caused by hypothermia?

The causative agents of the common cold are:

1. streptococci;
2. haemophilus influenzae.

These microorganisms are present on the mucous membranes of every person, but under the right conditions they are activated.

It is impossible to catch a cold, and only very weakened people and small children can “pick up” a respiratory bacterial infection.

Under the influence of cold, the human immune system is stressed and refuses to protect the body from the activation of opportunistic bacteria. Their reproduction leads to an infectious disease, which is accompanied by an inflammatory process.

Colds include the following diseases:

• rhinitis;
• pharyngitis;
• sinusitis;
• any angina.

And most often they occur in those patients who already have a chronic form of these pathologies.

Meanwhile, with strong immunity and in the absence of provoking factors, slight hypothermia is unlikely to provoke a disease.

The incubation period of a bacterial infection is quite long (3-14 days). However, if ARI is provoked by hypothermia, the incubation period can be reduced to 2-3 days. With a cold, the prodromal period is usually absent.

The disease after hypothermia or SARS can immediately begin with clinical manifestations.

Usually the symptoms of acute respiratory infections are pronounced:

1. sore throat;
2. severe perspiration;
3. nasal congestion;
4. mild but thick discharge from the nose;
5. subfebrile temperature (most often) or normal values.

But sometimes (very rarely) the disease is not accompanied by local manifestations, but there is only a slight deterioration in the general condition, which the patient can attribute to severe fatigue.

Treatment of a cold should come immediately. Otherwise, a mild illness can develop into a real bacterial infection, which will require antibiotic treatment to eliminate.

What's more, hemolytic streptococcus, which causes most colds, can cause serious complications to the heart, kidneys, or joints.

Now it has become clear how a cold differs from a viral infection:

• when infection occurs from contact with a patient, acute respiratory infections are an autoinfection;
• the prodromal period in acute respiratory viral infections is one day, with acute respiratory infections it is absent;
• ARVI is characterized by a bright onset, the symptoms of a cold are usually blurred (with the exception of any one sign);
• discharge from the nose with ARVI is abundant and liquid, with a cold they are either absent altogether or have a thick consistency.

ARVI treatment methods

To prescribe an adequate treatment for a cold, it is important for a doctor to know what caused it. Why? The answer is very simple: if you prescribe antibiotics to a patient with a viral infection, the drugs will only weaken the body's immune system, but they will not affect the cause of the disease.

This will lead to the fact that the patient will develop dysbacteriosis and resistance of pathogenic bacteria present on the mucous membrane of the throat and nose. The body will lose the ability to resist a viral infection, the disease will drag on and may result in serious complications.

Treatment of viral infections should take place according to the following scheme: First of all, the doctor prescribes antiviral drugs:

1. Cytovir 3.
2. Isoprinosine.
3. Kagocel.
4. Remantadin.
5. Interferon.
6. Viferon.

If the body temperature has risen to 38.5 and above, antipyretic drugs are indicated:

• Cefekon.
• Paracetamol.
• Nise.
• Ibuprofen.
• Nurofen.

In the early stages of influenza with a dry cough, the appointment of antitussives and mucolytics that thin sputum is required:

1. Libeksin.
2. Synekod.
3. Ambrobene.
4. Bromhexine.
5. Mukaltin.

Treatment requires taking vitamin complexes and general strengthening drugs that stimulate the body's resistance.

Drugs that relieve pain and sore throat:

• Septolete.
• Agisept.
• Lysobact.
• Tantum Verde.
• Hexoral.
• Furacilin solution for rinsing.

To wash off the infection, you need to rinse your nose with salt water several times a day. With this procedure, mucus is better removed from the sinuses, which prevents the development of sinusitis.

The patient should be provided with bed rest, in extreme cases, children should be prohibited from outdoor games.

The patient's room should be ventilated several times a day and wet cleaning should be carried out in it. The patient needs to drink as much as possible, for this good:

1. herbal infusions and decoctions;
2. raspberry tea;
3. tea with honey and lemon;
4. lime infusion;
5. fruit drinks, compotes and kissels.

The food of the patient should be rich in vitamins and minerals. It is recommended to eat more garlic and onions.

These products contain phytoncide - a natural antiviral component.

Cold treatment

Treatment of acute respiratory infections differs from the methods that are used for acute respiratory viral infections. If a week after the start of therapy, the patient does not feel relief, then a bacterial infection has joined the viral infection. In this case, the patient is prescribed antibacterial drugs.

With a mild cold, it is sometimes enough to rinse the nose and irrigate it with drops containing antibiotics. With severe rhinitis and swelling of the nasal mucosa, breathing can be improved with the help of vasoconstrictor drops.

You can get rid of sore throat and sore throat by resorption of Grammidin tablets or irrigation with Bioparox aerosol. The only condition is that all these drugs must be prescribed by a doctor.

Sprays TeraFlu Lar, Stopangin, Geksoral will help to cope with a cold. The patient is shown a plentiful drink, thermal compresses on the throat.

In the absence of the effect of local therapy, systemic antibiotics are usually prescribed:

• Erythromycin.
• Azithromycin.
• Amoxiclav.
• Flemoxin.

This is especially necessary if the disease passes into the stage of bronchitis or tracheitis.

Prevention of ARVI and ARI

Since the causes of the development of these diseases are different, preventive measures should also be different. However, there are also common points.

To prevent the off-season virus, you must:

1. avoid crowded places;
2. wear a protective mask;
3. use products that form a protective film in the nose (Nazoval);
4. exclude contact with sick people;
5. do preventive vaccinations.

In order not to get sick with a cold, a person must strengthen his immunity. For this you need:

• to eat well;
• harden;
• expose the body to sports loads;
• visit salt caves;
• often walk in the fresh air;
• eradicate bad habits;
• sleep well.

All these measures are also good for the prevention of SARS, since strong immunity is a guarantee that a small amount of the virus that enters the body will simply die there and will not be able to provoke an illness.

In conclusion, the specialist will tell you how to properly distinguish between the flu and the common cold.

The most basic step in any diagnosis is to identify the focus or cause of the disease. This plays a big role in the further elimination of the disease. There is a similarity in the appearance of a disease of viral or bacterial origin. But it should be noted that there are some differences that make it possible to determine the etiology. In order to conduct a differential diagnosis, it is enough to take blood for a laboratory test. Practically in any hospital, you can take a blood test and determine a viral or bacterial disease in a person.

How to identify a viral or bacterial infection?

Differences between bacteria and viruses

To understand the difference between an infection of bacterial and infectious origin, it is not necessary to be a physician. You just need to carefully study these varieties. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms. The nucleus may not be present in the cell, or may be unformed.

So, depending on the species, bacteria can be:

• Coccal origin (streptococci, staphylococci, etc.). These bacteria are round.
• In the form of sticks (dysentery and the like). Long stretched forms.
• Bacteria of other sizes, which are relatively rare.

You should always know that a large number of these representatives are present in the human body or organs throughout life. If a person's immune system does not suffer and functions sufficiently, then no bacterium poses a danger. But as soon as a decrease in the level of human immunity is observed, then any bacteria can threaten the body. A person begins to feel bad and fall ill with various ailments.

But the cell also does not sleep, as soon as the process of virus reproduction occurs, the body acquires a protective state. Based on this, the human body begins to fight, due to immunity. The defense mechanism is triggered, which is a fundamental factor to resist foreign intrusion.

Unlike bacteria, viruses do not last long, until the body completely destroys them. But according to the classification of viruses, there are a small number of viruses that are never excreted from the body. They can live throughout life, and become more active in case of weakened immunity. They are not stopped by any drugs, and most importantly, their immunity is not a threat. Such representatives are the herpes simplex virus, human immunodeficiency virus and others.

Deciphering a blood test for a virus

To determine, on the basis of the study, a disease of viral or bacterial origin, no special professionals in the field of medicine are needed. Even an ordinary person can determine for himself, on the basis of analysis.

In order to determine the cause of the appearance of the disease, it is enough to analyze each column with special attention.

For a detailed consideration of the pathological changes in viruses, it is necessary to know certain indicators:

1. A slight decrease in the level of leukocytes, or no fluctuations.
2. Moderate increase in the number of lymphocytes.
3. Raised level.
4. A sharp decrease in neutrophils.
5. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is slightly increased.

Deciphering the analysis

If the analysis shows that a person is sick, due to the penetration of the virus into the body, it is still necessary to study the clinical manifestations. To make a differential diagnosis by symptoms, the virus has a rather short incubation period. The duration is up to 5-6 days, which is not typical for bacteria.

As soon as a person becomes ill, it is necessary to determine the viral or bacterial infection.

Deciphering a blood test for a bacterium

As for bacteria, there are some difficulties. Sometimes blood tests and clinical manifestations can be slightly inaccurate. But in most cases, laboratory research gives us a positive answer. Main characteristics:

1. In 90%, an increased level of leukocytes.
2. Elevated levels of neutrophils (neutrophilia).
3. Moderate decrease in lymphocytes.
4. A sharp jump in the level of ESR.
5. Identification of special cells - myelocytes.

As mentioned above, the incubation period of bacteria is relatively longer than that of viruses. Usually up to two weeks.

You should also always be aware that bacteria in the human body can be activated due to viruses. After all, when a virus appears in the human body, immunity decreases and the bacterial flora gradually begins to affect the body.

It is quite easy to determine a viral or bacterial infection by a blood test. According to the results, it is possible to say with certainty why the disease appeared. You must always remember that it is not always possible to cope with the disease yourself, so you need to consult a doctor and be treated based on his recommendations.

Infection has been known to mankind since ancient times, but the science of infectious diseases is relatively young - it began only in the 19th century. Bacterial and viral infections have little similarity in manifestations, but their cardinal difference is in etiology. For their treatment, antibacterial and immunomodulatory drugs are used, and disinfection serves as an auxiliary tool in the fight against the disease.

What is an infection?

The term "infection" appeared in 1546 with the light hand of the Venetian doctor Girolamo Fracastoro, one of the founders of epidemiology. According to historical information, Fracastoro gave the name to the disease "syphilis", describing its symptoms in a poem of his own composition "Syphilis, or About the Gallic Disease".

Translated from the late Latin intectio means "infection" - this is how the complex process of penetration of an alien microbe into the body, which adversely affects the functioning of vital systems, is conveyed in one term. The word "infection" also refers directly to the causative agent of the disease. It is worth noting that sometimes the infection can doze peacefully in the body without forcing the immune system to turn on the defense.

The presence of a foreign pathogen causes the body to exhibit a kind of protective block, which is expressed in the form of diverse reactions of the immune system, since the infectious process affects all levels - molecular, subcellular, cellular, tissue, organ and body.

Any infection goes through several cycles preceding the development of the infectious process: after introduction into the human body, it adapts, then the pathogen multiplies, after which the infection process starts.

Pathogenicity and virulence are the unshakable pillars of any foreign agent. Pathogenicity is the ability of a virus to comfortably exist and multiply in the body of living beings and provoke various pathologies and violations of its functions with its vital activity. Virulence refers to the degree of ability of a strain to infect.

Infections accompany a person all his life and are the most common causes of many diseases. Moreover, once a virus enters the human body, under certain conditions it becomes a platform for the development of non-infectious diseases. For example, streptococcal infection leads to the development of rheumatism, so it is quite reasonable to use antistreptococcal antibiotic therapy at all stages of treatment.

Infection is different. The main difference between different types of infection lies already in the definitions: the basis for the development of a bacterial infection is a bacterium, for a viral infection it is a virus.

A feature of infections is their interaction: a bacterial infection, when it enters the body, does not always “reign” there undividedly, a viral infection can join it and vice versa. An indicator that both infections coexist in the body is the long course of a viral disease: with high-quality treatment, after ten days, improvement occurs, and if a person’s condition only worsens, then most likely a bacterial infection has joined the virus.

Usually, a bacterial infection strikes locally. Among the most common infections of bacterial origin are pneumonia, sinusitis, bladder infections, strep throat. Successful treatment is based on antibiotic therapy.

In the case of an untreated bacterial infection, bacteremia can develop - when the infection spreads beyond the boundaries of the affected area and enters the bloodstream.

A viral infection is a contagious disease that affects the entire body, and the use of antibiotics in this case is not justified. To destroy the virus, etiotropic and immunomodulatory drugs are used. Acute respiratory infection (ARVI) and childhood airborne infection (chickenpox, rubella, measles) are perhaps the most common viral diseases.

Disinfection is carried out in order to decontaminate a site / area of ​​​​the external environment to eliminate pathogens of infectious diseases. The range of disinfection measures is divided into two types: focal disinfection and disinfection for the purpose of prevention. Representatives of special services carry out preventive treatment on large urban systems: sewerage, water supply, in places of large and permanent crowds of people, etc. Focal treatment consists in disinfecting the places of work or residence of an infected person.

There is a wide variety of methods aimed at cleansing the environment from pathogens - mainly chemical and mechanical.

Among the available and easy to use are mechanical methods of disinfection, which include thorough washing, sweeping, wet cleaning, and airing. The combination of mechanical methods with the use of disinfectants gives a great effect, since in this way only a decrease in the number of microbes can be achieved.

For the disinfection of tools, dishes, linen, boiling remains relevant: the vast majority of bacteria cannot withstand the high temperatures reached during boiling. But some bacteria are able to survive for a certain time even when boiled: for example, anthrax spores die no earlier than 60 minutes; and to destroy the spores of the causative agent of botulism, it will take at least six hours of boiling. You can enhance the disinfecting effect of boiling water by adding soap or a 2% solution of baking soda. High bactericidal ability is available in ultraviolet rays, but they should be used carefully, as skin burns or conjunctivitis are possible.

To disinfect metal objects, calcination over fire is used. Infected items are also best burned in a fire.

Chemical type disinfection methods are represented by a large selection of disinfectants - bleach, chloramine, hydrogen peroxide, ethyl alcohol. But it should be remembered that they are toxic to one degree or another, so their use must take place under conditions of strict control.

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 general strengthening 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.

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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 SARS 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.

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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 disease. 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.

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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 disease) 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. Proper 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!

If a child gets sick, it is very important to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one in time, because they require a different approach to treatment and mistakes in therapy can be expensive. The final diagnosis, of course, remains with the doctor, but parents must have at least basic knowledge in order to be able to provide the child with first aid in time. How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one, we will tell in this material.

Main differences

The main difference between a viral illness and a bacterial one lies in the causative agent of the disease itself. Viral diseases are caused by viruses, bacterial diseases are caused by bacteria. With regard to childhood diseases, especially during the cold season, the most common are viral illnesses - influenza, SARS. The well-known pediatrician Yevgeny Komarovsky claims that 95% of all cases of childhood morbidity with respiratory and general manifestations (runny nose, cough, fever) are exclusively of viral origin.

• Viruses cannot exist anywhere and anyhow, they are quite capricious in choosing a location. Usually, each of the viral infections has its own localization, its own place of replication of the pathogen virus. With influenza, the corresponding virus at the first stage affects only the cells of the ciliated epithelium of the upper respiratory tract, with hepatitis - only liver cells, with rotavirus infection, the pathogen is activated exclusively in the small intestine.
• Bacteria are less whimsical. They begin to multiply where there is already a lesion. When cut, the wound begins to fester, when bacteria enter the larynx, if the integrity of the mucous membranes is broken, severe purulent inflammation of the pharynx and larynx begins, for example, with bacterial tonsillitis. The bacterium can spread throughout the body, "settling" where local immunity is reduced.

Knowing the difference and being able to distinguish one from the other is necessary in order to properly approach the care and treatment of a child. Viral diseases should never, under any circumstances, be treated with antibiotics. Antibacterial drugs are not effective against viruses and only increase the likelihood of severe complications.

For the treatment of a viral infection, there are their own drugs - antiviral, immunostimulating. And with a bacterial infection, it is impossible to do without antibiotics.

Symptom difference

In order to understand how a viral illness differs from a bacterial one, parents need to carefully observe their child. The difference is noticeable from the very beginning.

• Most viral diseases have an acute onset.- the baby's temperature rises to high levels (38.0-40.0 degrees), he suddenly becomes ill. With influenza, the nose usually remains dry, with other SARS, one of the first signs is liquid nasal mucus. This condition is said to be “running from the nose”.

• Bacterial runny nose (rhinitis) differs in color, texture and smell. Snot with such a runny nose have a thick consistency, green or dark yellow color, sometimes with blood streaks, an unpleasant smell of pus. The onset of a bacterial disease is not sharp and sharp. Usually the temperature does not rise immediately, but gradually, however, it can gradually reach high values, but more often it is subfebrile for a long time, and the state of health also gradually worsens.
• With a viral infection, the general condition is disturbed literally from the first hours of the disease. There are signs of intoxication, muscle and joint pain, severe headache, sometimes nausea and vomiting against the background of high temperature. With a bacterial disease, the discomfort zone is usually localized quite clearly. If the bacteria hit the throat - there is a sore throat, if it gets into the eyes - conjunctivitis, if the lungs - pneumonia. The bacteria can cause meningitis, severe bronchitis.
• The incubation period is also different.. Viral infections develop in the body after infection in a few hours or a couple of days, and bacteria need about 10 days or two weeks to “settle in”, multiply in sufficient quantities and begin to secrete a large amount of toxins.

• Almost any viral "sore" passes on its own in 3-6 days in the absence of complications.. With bacterial ailments, you will have to “tinker”, without a course (or even several courses) of antibiotics, you usually cannot do without, recovery is delayed.
• In the people, the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, influenza and bacterial rhinitis or tonsillitis are often called the single word "cold". This is wrong. A cold is nothing more than a weakening of the child's immunity, which became possible as a result of hypothermia. A cold may well precede a viral or bacterial infection, but is not considered an independent disease. A cold can be distinguished from a virus or bacteria by the absence of fever, acute catarrhal symptoms.

The only reliable way to distinguish one from the other, and at the same time to find out which viruses or bacteria struck the child is laboratory diagnostics. An analysis of blood, urine, swabs from the throat and nose is an ample basis for the laboratory determination of either viral particles and antibodies, or specific bacteria in them.

Learn more about the difference between a viral infection and a bacterial one.