Bronchitis can be called a leader among diseases respiratory tract. This diagnosis is made when the lining of the bronchi is inflamed and the patient has symptoms such as coughing and sputum production. Bronchitis is especially common in regions with a cold and humid climate, where there are sharp changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure.

Most often, the development of the disease is due to the penetration of viruses into the body (for example, the influenza virus, rhinovirus) or bacteria (pneumococci, streptococci, and others). To recover faster and avoid complications, you need to find out whether it is a bacterial or viral infection.

The bacterial form of bronchitis is much less common than the viral form. Infectious lesions of the bronchi can cause several types of bacteria:

• corynbacteria;
• hemophilic bacillus;
• moraxella;
• meningococci;
• pneumococci;
• chlamydia;
• mycoplasmas;
• streptococci.

The vital activity of these organisms causes significant disruption of the respiratory organs, so it is important to start therapy with antibacterial drugs (antibiotics) as soon as possible.

How is bacterial bronchitis different from viral bronchitis?

To begin with, let's figure out whether there is a viral bronchitis at all? The answer is yes, it happens. But on how to distinguish these two forms, read on.

A bacterial infection can be distinguished from a viral one by a longer incubation period.- from two days to two weeks.

To determine the moment of infection, it is worth considering not only the last contact with sick people, but also recent states of severe fatigue, nervous strain, and hypothermia.

Most microbes live in the human body for months and years without causing any trouble. A sharp decrease in immunity as a result of a nervous shock or hypothermia awakens their activity. In addition, a bacterial infection tends to join a viral one.

Doctors prefer not to waste time figuring out whether the disease is viral or not and suggest antibiotic treatment. This is because the side effects of antibiotic therapy are easier to manage than complications such as meningitis or pneumonia. And yet it is worth knowing the difference between bacterial bronchitis and viral bronchitis, since with a viral form, antibacterial agents will be useless.

Important! The doctor must prescribe antibiotics. Of course, you can appreciate how proper treatment you are assigned, but this is not a reason to choose antibacterial drugs on one's own.

How can you tell if you have viral or bacterial bronchitis?

Initially, the disease is almost never bacterial.

The viral form begins with high temperature, runny nose, cough, and only then, in case of inappropriate treatment or on the basis of reduced immunity, a bacterial infection occurs. We can say that this is a complication of viral bronchitis.

Usually immunity to the virus is formed within three to five days. If by the fifth day of the disease there was no improvement, it means that bacteria took part in the inflammatory process.

With bacterial bronchitis, the patient suffers strong cough with sputum, while he does not have symptoms such as a runny nose and inflammation of the eyes. The temperature lasts for a long time, more than three to five days, but it does not exceed 37.5 degrees.

Signs of viral bronchitis

The spectrum of viruses that cause bronchitis includes more than two hundred varieties. Most often these are influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial viruses, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, rotaviruses and others.

It begins with a deterioration in well-being, decreased appetite, fever, muscle pain. The main symptom of bronchitis is coughing. It occurs due to irritation of the receptors of the bronchial mucosa as a result of inflammation. The type of cough depends on the causative agent of the disease and the degree of damage to the bronchi.

Most often, the disease begins with a dry cough, then sputum appears, breathing becomes wheezing and gurgling.

If the infection has covered not only the bronchi, but also the larynx, a barking cough appears. Sputum is initially secreted in small quantities or is completely absent.

Its quantity increases every day, and in the second week of illness it can change its color to greenish. The appearance of purulent or mucopurulent sputum is an alarming symptom indicating the addition of a bacterial infection.

With simple bronchitis, wheezing is heard from the respiratory tract: wet or dry. Their character may change. The disease is usually not severe. The body temperature returns to normal in a few days, the symptoms of intoxication are eliminated, and the swelling of the nasopharynx disappears.

It will take two to three weeks for the sputum to disappear, during which time the cough may continue. Sometimes bronchitis drags on for three to four weeks, this may be due to the addition of a bacterial infection.

Attention! When cough treatment does not bring results for a month or more, this is a sign that bronchitis has given a complication. It makes sense to conduct a study of the chest x-ray.

All respiratory viral infections are short incubation period, from one to five days. This time is enough for the virus to multiply to such an amount that will cause a cough, runny nose, fever.

Bronchitis viral or bacterial - what's the difference?

Why is it so important to distinguish bacterial from viral bronchitis? The problem is that viruses, which are the culprits of most acute respiratory diseases are not amenable to antibiotic therapy. In addition, in some cases, antibiotics can be harmful.

To determine the type of bronchitis, you need to assess the patient's condition on the eve of the disease. It is important to remember how often a person was sick in recent times where he had been for several days before the symptoms of the disease appeared, whether one of his friends, colleagues or relatives was ill.

Think about when you visited a team that has sick people. If less than five days have elapsed from this point to the onset of symptoms, you most likely have a viral infection. However, this symptom alone is not enough to make a diagnosis.

Differences of viral diseases:

• short incubation period (1-5 days);
• malaise begins with acute and pronounced symptoms (runny nose, cough, fever);
• within 3-5 days the condition gradually improves;

Important! ARVI begins immediately with acute symptoms: body temperature rises to 38-39 degrees, chills occur, headache, sore throat, runny nose, cough.

The whole complex of symptoms may not be, sometimes a viral infection causes only an inflammatory process in the nasopharynx. A stuffy nose and a runny nose, reddened and watery eyes are bright distinctive features viral infection.

Features of bacterial bronchitis:

• begins as a complication of the viral form of the disease;
• the disease is of a protracted nature;
• high temperature lasts more than 2-3 days;
• cough and sore throat in the absence of a runny nose.

Attention! With bacterial bronchitis, a runny nose and inflammation of the eyes are absent, but the temperature can last for a long time - a week or more. A bacterial infection is usually "dragged" behind a viral one. This moment can be seen by the deterioration of the condition 3-5 days after the onset of the acute period of the disease.

The unreasonable use of antibiotics for viral bronchitis is not only useless, but also fraught with side effects . The most common of these is bowel dysfunction. In addition, the abuse of antibiotics contributes to the emergence of resistant strains of microbes.

Bronchitis is a viral or bacterial disease - which tests will answer exactly?

To determine the type of bronchitis, the following types of diagnostics are used:

• general blood analysis;
• sputum culture.

A general blood test for bronchitis shows a high content of leukocytes. This indicates an inflammatory process in the body. ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is also elevated due to inflammation. C-reactive protein, which performs a protective function, can also be elevated in bronchitis.

Sputum analysis is needed to determine if antibiotic treatment is appropriate. A small amount of mucus is placed in a special nutrient medium in which there is an intensive growth of microorganisms. Then their reaction to antibacterial drugs is checked. This analysis helps to diagnose "bacterial bronchitis" and choose the most effective antibiotic.

Now you know how to identify the type of bronchitis. This will help you draw conclusions about how adequate diagnostic and treatment methods your doctor has suggested. However, do not self-medicate. If you have any doubts about the competence of a doctor, it is better to consult another specialist.

Detailed article about . Here you will find additional information regarding treatment options.

Read about others and how to treat it in our section.

One of the most common forms of bronchitis is. Read all about this form of the disease in our section.

Useful video

Find out what types of bronchitis are and what factors contribute to the occurrence of infection from the video below:

Determining the source of the disease is one of the main points among those that are necessary for organizing the correct and effective therapy. Despite some similarities in the etiology of a bacterial and viral illness, they also have a number of differences that are important to consider when treating. Most in a simple way determining the type of infection is holding.

You don't need to be a biologist to understand the main differences between a viral and bacterial infection, just look at the two types of microorganisms in detail: bacteria and viruses. The first are single-celled microorganisms that have an unformed nucleus or do not have it at all.

Depending on the shape of the cell, bacteria are divided into the following types:

• "-cocci" (, pneumococcus, etc.) - with a round shape
• rod-shaped (whooping cough, dysentery, etc.) - with an outstretched shape
• other forms of bacteria are much less common

It should be understood that throughout life, a huge number of bacteria live on the surface and inside the human body. With normal immunity and the general protective state of the body, these microorganisms are not dangerous at all, since they are not pathogens. However, any weakening of the body, in combination with other factors, will turn innocent bacteria into pathogenic cells that can be provocateurs of serious ailments.

Viruses have a negative effect on the cell, so their appearance and activation of development are accompanied by the production of interferon.

The latter begins to interact with other healthy cells and provokes the appearance of an antiviral state.This outcome of events causes the human body to stimulate immune system and activate hidden protective resources that are directed to combat the disease that has arisen.

Viruses in most cases live in the human body for a short time, that is, only for the period of illness. However, some of the microorganisms of this class can live in the body all their lives and become active only in certain situations with certain conditions. Such a virus is often not destroyed either by immunity or medicines (, etc.).

Blood test for viral infection and its interpretation

A viral or bacterial infection can be determined not only by a professional doctor, but also by the patient himself, who has the results of a previous diagnostic measure.

To determine the source of the disease, it is necessary to carefully analyze each of the indicators among those presented on the results card. The fact is that depending on the type of pathogenic cells, some regular changes occur in the structural composition of the blood. By identifying them, you can determine the viruses or bacteria that killed you.

So, the general picture of blood test indicators for a viral infection is as follows:

• - normal or slightly below normal (very rarely there is a slight increase)
• - above the norm
• monocytes - above normal
• neutrophils - below normal
• - normal or slightly increased

Even if all indicators of a blood test indicate a viral etiology of the disease, it is equally important to analyze the symptoms that appear. The most significant difference between bacterial and viral infections is that the latter has a shorter incubation period (1-5 days).

Blood test for bacterial infection and its interpretation

Depending on the type of bacteria provocateurs of the disease, the symptoms and differences in the analysis indicators may be slightly different, but in general, a bacterial infection has the following specific features:

• - almost always above the norm (rarely - the norm)
• neutrophils - above normal
• - slightly below the norm (less often - the norm)
• – promotion
• the appearance of young forms - metamyelocytes and myelocytes

As for the symptoms, with the bacterial nature of the disease, its incubation period, as a rule, lasts longer than with a viral infection, and is 2-14 days.

In any case, even knowing the above features of viral and bacterial infections, determined through a blood test, you should not completely rely on yourself in making a diagnosis. It is important to understand that bacteria are often activated as a result of the development of viral microflora, and only a specialist can determine such an etiology of the disease.

Useful tips: how to properly treat a viral and bacterial infection

As noted earlier, determining if you have a viral or bacterial infection is necessary in order to identify the correct and most effective methods therapy.

Below are useful tips for the treatment of ailments of these etiological types:

• Returning to the symptoms of ailments for the last time, we note that a viral infection provokes general physical malaise, fever and a sudden increase in temperature, while a bacterial one, on the contrary, is activated locally (tonsillitis, otitis media, etc.), develops for a long time and is accompanied by a low temperature (no more 38Co).
• The beginning of therapy for any disease, regardless of its etiological type, should be accompanied by the organization of complete rest and bed rest for the patient. Such conditions should be maintained until almost complete recovery.
• The choice of medications is the most interesting issue in the treatment of viral and bacterial infections. The latter must be treated with antibacterial agents (antibiotics), supplementing them with various medications to eliminate local symptoms. Therapy of a viral infection should be accompanied by the use of antiviral drugs and the same drugs aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease.
• Use folk remedies in the treatment of viral and bacterial diseases, it is possible, but only if it is rational and appropriate.
• Inhalations are also not contraindicated, but it should be understood that they should be used correctly only when there are no purulent inflammatory processes in the airways and fever in the patient.

Useful video - How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one:

Only the attending physician can give further advice on the treatment of diseases in a particular case, since it is necessary to take into account individual characteristics ailment.

In general, the determination of a viral or bacterial infection from the results is not a difficult undertaking, requiring only some knowledge. It is important to understand that sometimes one's own strength is not enough to organize the correct diagnosis and effective treatment Therefore, you should not ignore a visit to the clinic.

Unfortunately, not many people know the differences between these concepts, which leads to improper treatment, and this threatens with serious and dangerous consequences. There is a huge difference between treatment and. We have previously published articles - and we also recommend reading them!

So what is the difference between a virus and an infection, then we will consider in detail!

A virus is a very simple form of life that is on the verge between organic and inorganic nature. In fact, this is genetic material, i.e. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic acid) in a protein shell that serves as protection. Without host cells, the virus cannot reproduce. In addition, they do not have their own metabolism, which means they cannot eat.

How does the virus get infected?

At the first stage, the protective shell of the virus is attached to the membrane of another cell.

Most viruses can only attach to certain types of organisms. Infection occurs when a virus transfers its RNA and DNA (genetic material) into a second cell (the host cell). There it begins to rapidly develop using certain internal systems of the host cell. Creates protein particles.

After a sufficient number of particles have been created, new viruses are assembled from nucleic acids and produced proteins. And then, it destroys the host cell and is released. The released particle tends to infect a new cell. This process is repeated over and over again, each time destroying the host cells. This causes the progression of the disease and the release of viruses into the external environment, infecting new people or animals.

Unlike viruses, bacteria are full-fledged cells that have the necessary organelles for the synthesis of substances and energy production. These cells can multiply. The genetic material is contained in the cytoplasm, i.e. intracellular fluid. This is caused by the absence of a nucleus, which stores the genetic material in most types of cells.

How do bacterial diseases develop?

As mentioned earlier, bacteria are full-fledged cells capable of reproducing without the help of a host organism, most often this occurs by division. They have their own metabolism, and accordingly they can feed on their own. It is as food that bacteria usually use the host. The organism, where the bacteria have penetrated, is perceived by them as a comfortable environment for reproduction. In the course of their life activity, they damage the host cells and poison them with waste products (toxins). This leads to the development of the disease.

Treatment of viral and bacterial diseases differ significantly precisely because of their different nature.

Antibacterial drugs are aimed at the destruction of bacteria, as well as blocking the ability to reproduce.

Drugs against viruses

Antiviral drugs have three directions of action:

• Stimulation of the defense mechanisms of the host organism itself to counteract viruses that have entered the body;
• Violation of the structure of viral particles. Usually these drugs are analogues of nitrogenous bases. This substance acts as a material for the synthesis of nucleic acids, from which RNA and DNA are built. The modified substances are integrated into the genetic material of the virus, which leads to the deformation of the created viruses. Due to their own defect, these particles cannot multiply and create new particles;
• Preventing the entry of the virus into the host cell. Thus, viral DNA and RNA cannot detach from the protective protein shell, and they cannot penetrate the cell membrane.

Encephalitis is caused by viruses, and borreliosis is caused by bacterial activity, which leads to various treatments these diseases.

The drug Jodantipyrin acts in the third direction. It prevents the penetration of encephalitis into the cell protected by it.

If the virus has entered the body and infect it, then the drug blocks the further development of the disease. It is recommended to use this Yodantipyrin before visiting places where there is a threat of infection with encephalitis, i.e. habitats of ticks (forests, parks, meadows, etc.).

Immunoglobulin

Immunoglobulen is a rather specific drug that is aimed at neutralizing all types of bacteria and viruses. It produces its own and individual types of immunoglobulins in the body. This drug belongs to the category of immunobiological medicines. Do not use this remedy in emergency cases, as it can cause acute allergic reaction and lead to very serious consequences. Before use, you need to consult with a specialist who will prescribe a specific regimen for taking the drug.

Immunoglobulen and Yodantipyrin are absolutely different drugs, which have different protection mechanisms and tasks. AT emergency cases, you should take Yodantipyrin, which blocks the disease on initial stage, and Immunoglobulin stimulates the body to produce certain antibodies that can destroy encephalitis. The drugs have contraindications and you need to read the instructions, and in the case of Immunoglobulen, consult a doctor. In more detail with the action of the drug and the results clinical trials can be found in the specialized literature, in medical reference books.

Video: How to distinguish a viral disease from a bacterial one

Surely every person is familiar with such a situation - today you are cheerful and cheerful, and the next morning your head is splitting, a runny nose, cough, and your body temperature is going through the roof.

The matter is simple - you get sick, but it is important to know whether it is a viral infection or a bacterial one, since the viral one can go away on its own in a couple of days, but the bacterial one simply needs to be "killed" with medicines. But how can they be distinguished?

How to recognize a viral infection

Usually, the signs of a viral infection go away on their own within 2 to 7 days, sometimes it can take up to 10 days. But, for example, viral sinusitis can torment you for a whole month, but in the end it will also go away on its own.

With a viral infection, the temperature usually rises, but not much, on average it ranges between 37 and 38 0 C. But at the same time, you feel terrible - you are thrown into a fever, then into a cold, sweat comes out, dizziness appears.

Pulsating or It's a dull pain in the forehead area can also indicate the presence of a viral infection in your body.

A viral infection is a carrier of a huge number of symptoms. These include, in addition to the above, a runny nose, stuffy nose, pain and burning in the throat, coughing up sputum.

Cough develops due to clogging of the airways with mucus and can continue for a month even after a runny nose and other symptoms of a viral infection have passed.

This is due to the fact that the throat is irritated and reacts to any irritants.

Young children with a viral infection may develop a rash.

How to recognize a bacterial infection

The difference between bacteria and viruses

Bacteria are independent organisms that can exist separately and do not need a carrier; they affect one part of the body, and not the entire body.

A viral infection can last from 5 days to two weeks, and unlike a bacterial infection, the symptoms will only get worse every day. Naturally, the duration of the disease depends on the treatment, without which a bacterial infection cannot be dispensed with.

Unlike a viral infection, a bacterial infection is characterized by a rather high temperature, from 38 and above, it can reach 40 0 ​​C, while a person may experience chills, trembling, with prolonged heat - hallucinations, darkening in the eyes.

Since a bacterial infection affects one part of the body, it can only hurt in one place, for example, in the ears, nose, and so on.

A distinctive feature of the bacterial disease is the inflammation of the lymph nodes, which are located behind the ears, on the neck, in the groin, armpits, around the elbows and behind the knees.

In extreme cases, abscesses, or purulent "bags", may appear, thus the body fights infection. but without the help of a doctor in this case can not do.

Different bacterial infections - different symptoms

• Angina - this disease is characterized by a sharp increase in temperature up to 38 0 C, sore throat, nausea, swollen lymph nodes and in some cases a rash on the skin.
• Bacterial pneumonia - the temperature rises up to 41 0 C, there is chest pain, shortness of breath, severe fatigue, cough with expectoration.
• Bacterial sinusitis is similar to viral sinusitis and is very easy to confuse. The temperature is elevated, the mucus is yellow or green.
• Salmonella is a very serious and dangerous disease accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, headache.

Any bacterial disease requires drug treatment and medical supervision.

An organism weakened by a viral infection can be secondarily affected by a bacterial infection, be careful.

By knowing the difference between a viral and a bacterial infection, you can immediately determine what exactly you have contracted, and based on this you can make decisions about what to do next.

How often doctors diagnose a viral infection, and then they scare: “Treat yourself so that a bacterial one does not join, you will have to change the appointment.”

We nod understandingly, and then, as a rule, after the doctor leaves, we think about how we will know that the time “H” has come - when the insidious virus “brought” a bacterial infection with it.

Let's figure out what is the difference between a viral infection and a bacterial one. It will help us adequately assess the doctor's prescription, respond in a timely manner to changes in the child's condition and, of course, get sick less.

So, let's get to know the enemy "by sight".

Viral infection

There are several types of virus infection. They are can be transferred airborne, oral, hematogenous (through the blood), alimentary (through gastrointestinal tract), contact and sexual routes.

In the human body, they actively multiply, and spread throughout the body through our blood and lymph.

bacterial infection

Bacteria can multiply even on artificial nutrient media. They are transmitted contact, alimentary or airborne, fecal-oral route. In addition, bacteria enter the human body after the bite of insects (this path is called transmissible) or animals, through the mucous membrane.

Bacteria actively multiply, but the infection manifests itself in different ways - depending on the location of its focus.

The basis for the treatment of viruses are antiviral drugs and bacterial infection is treated with antibiotics

What is the difference between viral and bacterial infections

Both infections are unpleasant and quite insidious. Their main differences :

1. The virus affects the entire body. It is difficult to say which organ is affected, there are general symptoms. A bacterial often acts localized. It manifests itself, and so on.
2. Incubation period with a viral infection lasts 1-5 days, and with a bacterial infection - 2-12 days.
3. A viral infection manifests itself quite sharply, the temperature can jump up to 39 degrees and above, the child is weakened, intoxication of the body is observed. A bacterial infection begins with more severe symptoms and temperatures up to 38 degrees.

Often the disease begins with a viral infection, and after a few days (usually after 3-4), a bacterial one joins it. This is due to the fact that viruses suppress the immune system, the body is weakened. That is why, if the child does not fall on the fourth day, it is necessary re-call the doctor - for correction of treatment.

After all, a bacterial infection is treated differently: the basis of the treatment of viruses are antiviral drugs, and a bacterial infection is treated with antibiotics.

In addition to the overall picture, it will not be superfluous to pass. With a bacterial infection, the number of leukocytes is increased (often at the expense of neutrophils). That is, there is a change leukocyte formula: the number of stab neutrophils in the blood increases, young forms appear - metamyelocytes (young) and myelocytes. In addition, with a bacterial infection, a jump in ESR is observed.