A cold is the most common infectious disease that affects most of the upper parts of the respiratory system.... The cause of a cold may be a virus or bacteria that causes a difference in the symptoms of the disease.... To know the difference between a viral and bacterial cold, do not miss the continuation of this article from the medical journal .

What is the difference between a viral and bacterial cold?

Generally, if viruses are the cause of a cold, it is called influenza.. In fact, a cold is a bacterial cold, and if viruses are the cause of symptoms, it is called influenza... Cold and flu are both infections in which the upper respiratory tract is affected, but the severity of the symptoms is different.

Difference between viral and bacterial disease

The difference between viral and bacterial diseases includes the following:

• Treatment of viral diseases is done by prescribing antiviral drugs, but bacterial disease is treated by prescribing injectable or pharmaceutical antibiotics.
• Viral disease symptoms appear much faster and more severe than bacterial disease.
• Runny and stuffy nose is caused by bacterial disease.
• Viral infections may cause serious problems such as pneumonia.
• Viral colds require hospitalization in most cases.
• The difference between viral and bacterial sore throat is the severity and time of occurrence.... Viral sore throat is mild and starts slowly, but bacterial sore throat is very sudden and severe.
• Viral diseases have a shorter period and finally last 14 days.... but the period of bacterial disease is usually more than 14 days.

Viral cold symptoms

Viral colds are usually associated with the following symptoms:

• Burning throat
• Feeling of general weakness
• fatigue
• Lung infection
• weakness
kidney pain
• Secrets from the eyes
Thick green or yellow purulent discharge from the nose
• High fever
• Body pain
• Headache
• Muscle pain
bone pain
• mild shivering
• Diarrhea and vomiting in children
• to sweat

Read more: What is the cold virus?... Symptoms, causes and ways of treatment

These symptoms usually appear 2 to 3 days after the virus enters the body and remain in the body for several days to several weeks.

Which viruses are the cause of viral colds?

Viral colds, which are more commonly known as influenza, are caused by more than 200 different types of viruses. Among them, the rhinovirus family is the cause of influenza more than others, and between 20 and 40% of influenza cases are related to them. are From:

• parainfluenza virus
• Adenoviruses
Enteroviruses
• RSV virus (respiratory syncytial virus)

How is a viral cold diagnosed?

In general, viral cold diagnosis tests are not performed in laboratories and hospitals in Iran, and doctors prescribe medicine according to the patient's clinical symptoms.. Visiting a doctor and taking medicine is necessary to control a viral cold.... If you have symptoms of a viral cold but cannot see a doctor in person, you can get an online visit from infectious disease doctors through GCORP LLC.

Treatment of viral cold

Viral colds are usually controlled and treated by prescribing antiviral drugs... The dose and type of drugs prescribed depends on the severity of the disease and the patient's clinical symptoms....Doctors usually recommend drinking liquids and watery foods in addition to taking medicine along with rest....Taking vitamin C helps to treat viral colds as quickly as possible.

Can a viral cold turn into a bacterial cold?

In some cases, the viral infection may turn into a bacterial infection.. In this way, other symptoms that indicate a secondary infection appear in the person... These symptoms are:

• middle ear infection
• Sinus infection
• High fever
• Sinus pain
• Swollen glands
• Mucous coughs

Read more: Are frequent colds a warning sign of a more serious illness?

If you see these symptoms, it is necessary to visit the doctor again... because due to the difference between viral and bacterial colds, you will probably need more treatments.

Bacterial cold symptoms

Bacterial colds show themselves with the following symptoms:

• Low fever
• Slight body pain
• Running nose
• nasal congestion
• Severe sore throat
• Cough with sputum
• Mild headache
• Lethargy
• Slight dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Earache
• Inflammation of lymph nodes

Treatment of bacterial cold

Bacterial colds are mostly caused by streptococcus bacteria.... This type of cold is treated by prescribing various types of antibiotics.... The important thing in treating bacterial colds is to complete the course of treatment.

Prescription antibiotics must be used until the end to be effective... otherwise, not completing the course of antibiotic treatment can lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and the strengthening of bacteria... In this way, the bacterial infection is not only not eliminated.. Rather, the infection occurs again with greater intensity.

Read more: 5 signs of a cold that is a sign of cancer!

The following measures are effective in the treatment of bacterial colds:

• Adequate rest
• Consumption of liquids
• Zinc consumption
• Consumption of vitamin C
• Consumption of vitamin D
• Consumption of painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Consumption of homemade beers

The difference between cold, flu, corona and allergy

In the table below, we compare the symptoms of the most common respiratory problems, including colds, flu, corona and allergies:

Concluding remarks

Both viruses and bacteria can cause colds.... The most important difference between viral and bacterial colds is the difference in severity and type of symptoms.... In this article from GCORP LLC, we explained the difference between viral and bacterial colds.... To treat a cold, you should see an infectious disease doctor or consult an infectious disease specialist online, because if the cause of the cold in the body causes a heart attack, such as a heart attack.. for treatment cold, you can make an appointment with infectious specialists GCORP LLC.

Read more: Medicinal myths about colds

Frequently Asked Questions

Source: integrauc