Viral vs. Bacterial?
Question:
"Steven D. Litvintchouk" <s…@mitre.org> wrote in message news:3A7390B4.1034B72B@mitre.org… > > If one has any colored mucous (even if most of it is clear, but some of it > > colored), is that a sure sign of bacterial infection? > No. With a viral common cold, the nasal mucus tends to turn thick and > yellow toward the late stages of the cold. There can even be sinus pain > and pressure toward the late stages of a cold.
How about sickly sweet tasting thick mucous collecting in the throat? Is that yukky taste a clear symptom of viral or bacterial infection, or could it be either?
Response:
we’ve found with my daughter that her breath takes on a life of its own. What we call sinus breath, then the headaches start. Headaches in the dead center of her forehead almost have always meant bacterial. I’ve heard recently that the color is indicating less and less. Some clear drainage cultures bacterial, some green drainage doesn’t culture anything and ends up being allergic rhinitis. MS <m…@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:t75lhgc4uje278@corp.supernews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> What are some of the sure signs for distinguishing between a viral and > bacterial infection?
Response:
"Steven D. Litvintchouk" <s…@mitre.org> wrote in message news:3A731627.44102DDD@mitre.org… > In my own personal experience: > A (viral) common cold tends to come on rather suddenly, usually with a > scratchy throat and feeling of mucus and inflammation in the back part > of the nasopharynx. After a couple of days, this switches to a runny > nose with sneezing. > A bacterial sinus infection seems to progress very gradually. Initially > you’re not even sure you have it. With me, it starts with post nasal > drip and loss of sense of smell, which proceeds to head congestion and > stuffiness. No runny nose, and no sneezing. > Hope this helps.
Would you say that if there is no runny nose after a couple of days it is probably a bacterial infection? If one has any colored mucous (even if most of it is clear, but some of it colored), is that a sure sign of bacterial infection?
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -MS wrote: > "Steven D. Litvintchouk" <s…@mitre.org> wrote in message > news:3A731627.44102DDD@mitre.org… > > In my own personal experience: > > A (viral) common cold tends to come on rather suddenly, usually with a > > scratchy throat and feeling of mucus and inflammation in the back part > > of the nasopharynx. After a couple of days, this switches to a runny > > nose with sneezing. > > A bacterial sinus infection seems to progress very gradually. Initially > > you’re not even sure you have it. With me, it starts with post nasal > > drip and loss of sense of smell, which proceeds to head congestion and > > stuffiness. No runny nose, and no sneezing. > > Hope this helps. > Would you say that if there is no runny nose after a couple of days it is > probably a bacterial infection?
No. > If one has any colored mucous (even if most of it is clear, but some of it > colored), is that a sure sign of bacterial infection?
No. With a viral common cold, the nasal mucus tends to turn thick and yellow toward the late stages of the cold. There can even be sinus pain and pressure toward the late stages of a cold. Like I said, the only way to be sure is to wait and see. If it’s a cold, it will get better by itself after a week or two. If it’s bacterial sinusitis, it not only won’t get better, but it might get worse. In my case, what often happens after a couple of weeks of sinusitis is that the bugs end up migrating to my inner ear. When I start to feel dizzy, and I start getting an earache, I know that my time is up, and I need an antibiotic. — Steven D. Litvintchouk Email: s…@mitre.org Disclaimer: As far as I am aware, the opinions expressed herein are not those of my employer.
Response:
What are some of the sure signs for distinguishing between a viral and bacterial infection?
Response:
MS wrote: > What are some of the sure signs for distinguishing between a viral and > bacterial infection?
What is widely known: A viral infection (a.k.a. "common cold") is self-limiting, usually lasting up to two weeks. If left untreated, a bacterial sinus infection can linger indefinitely, and can gradually spread and get worse. In my own personal experience: A (viral) common cold tends to come on rather suddenly, usually with a scratchy throat and feeling of mucus and inflammation in the back part of the nasopharynx. After a couple of days, this switches to a runny nose with sneezing. A bacterial sinus infection seems to progress very gradually. Initially you’re not even sure you have it. With me, it starts with post nasal drip and loss of sense of smell, which proceeds to head congestion and stuffiness. No runny nose, and no sneezing. Hope this helps. — Steven D. Litvintchouk Email: s…@mitre.org Disclaimer: As far as I am aware, the opinions expressed herein are not those of my employer.
Response:
Filed under: Sinusitis
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