How to cure a bacterial infection. How to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial How bacterial is treated

Viral and bacterial upper respiratory tract infections have similar symptoms. Tests and clinical studies are the only way to pinpoint the type of infection, but they can be expensive and time consuming. However, there are subtle differences between viral and bacterial infections. Some infections last longer than others and are accompanied by different colored mucus. In case of illness, stay at home and take care of your health. Get some rest and recharge.

Steps

Symptoms

Pay attention to the duration of the illness. Typically, viral infections last longer than bacterial infections. Feeling unwell lasts 1-3 days, then the condition begins to improve, but some symptoms may still persist. If symptoms last a week or longer, it could be a viral infection. Symptoms should be closely monitored, and if they persist for some time, you should consult your doctor about taking antibiotics. A viral illness can develop into sinusitis or increase the risk of a middle ear infection, which increases the chance of a bacterial infection.

Pay attention to the color of the mucous secretions. When you blow your nose or cough up phlegm, look at the color of the discharge. Overcome possible disgust, because the color of the discharge can distinguish between viral and bacterial infections.

• A thin and clear discharge usually corresponds to viral infections. Dark, greenish discharge is more common with bacterial infections.
• However, the color of the discharge is not a 100% indication of the type of infection. There are other factors to consider.

1. Examine your throat. A sore throat occurs with both viral and bacterial infections. To determine if antibiotics should be given right away, doctors most often look at the throat. A certain type of throat indicates a bacterial infection. For example, white spots are usually caused by bacteria. If a sore throat is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a runny nose and sneezing, it could also indicate a bacterial (such as streptococcal) infection.

   Pay attention to the temperature. Both viral and bacterial infections can be accompanied by high fever. However, there are some differences between different types of infection. With bacterial infections, the temperature is usually higher. In the case of a bacterial infection, the temperature rises for several days, while in a viral infection, on the contrary, it decreases after a few days.

   Assess risk factors

   1. Weigh your chances of getting the flu. The flu is caused by a viral infection. If some of your work colleagues get sick with the flu, keep in mind that it is highly contagious. If you have recently had contact with someone with the flu, it is likely that the illness you are experiencing is due to this particular illness.

      • Keep in mind that flu is treatable if it is diagnosed early and acted upon within the first two days of symptoms. As soon as you experience the first symptoms during the flu season, see your doctor right away.

   2. Consider your age. Young children are more prone to some viral infections. They are more likely to have upper respiratory tract infections. If your child has symptoms such as sore throat, sneezing and coughing, it is possible that he or she has an upper respiratory infection.

      • Visit your doctor if you suspect your child has an upper respiratory infection.

   3. Think back to the last time you had sinusitis. Sometimes the infection starts out as a viral infection and then becomes bacterial. If you've recently had a viral infection, such as sinusitis, you may develop a secondary bacterial infection. If soon after the first illness followed a second, it is most likely a bacterial infection.

      • In some cases, a bacterial infection can be caused by another type of viral infection. If any illness lasts more than two weeks, you should see your doctor.

   Health care

   1. If you develop certain symptoms, see your doctor immediately. Most viral and bacterial infections can be treated at home. However, in some cases, you should see a doctor immediately. This is even more important if a child is experiencing these symptoms. See your doctor for the following symptoms:

      • Infrequent urination (less than three times in 24 hours)
      • Labored breathing
      • The condition does not improve within 3-5 days
      • Worsening of symptoms, especially after some improvement.

   2. Take antibiotics for bacterial infections. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, and they are not helpful for viral infections. Although doctors may not always prescribe antibiotics even for bacterial infections, they can be prescribed for you if there is a serious infection.

   3. Try over-the-counter drugs for pain relief. If a viral or bacterial infection is causing severe pain, talk to your pharmacist about drugs that can help you. When taking medication, follow the instructions for use. Also check with your pharmacist to see if these drugs will interact with other drugs you are taking.

      • If you are prescribed antibiotics, ask your doctor if you can take over-the-counter pain relievers along with them.

   4. Get a flu shot. Get vaccinated to prevent getting the flu again. This will protect you from the flu virus. Influenza is a viral infection, and viral infections can sometimes cause bacterial infections. A flu shot will reduce your risk of viral and bacterial infections.

      • The flu shot will not protect you against all types of viruses and bacteria. It reduces the likelihood of illness, but does not negate it.
      • Many are also vaccinated against pneumonia. Please consult your doctor about this.
      • If you or your child have not received the standard vaccinations, tell your doctor. You may have a rare virus, in which case you need extra precautions to keep others from getting infected.

Infections caused by small, single-celled microorganisms are called bacterial infections. Bacteria belong to a separate kingdom - prokaryotes, because they have no nucleus, and genetic information is located in the cytoplasm. Bacteria are the oldest living organisms on earth. They can live in any environment.

Types of bacteria

Depending on the shape of the cell, there are:

• Cocci are bacteria in the shape of a ball. These are meningococcus, staphylococcus, pneumococcus, streptococcus.
• Rod-shaped - bacteria that resemble a straight or curved bacillus: E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, diphtheria bacillus, and the causative agent of tetanus.
• Crimped bacteria are spiral, corkscrew-shaped microorganisms that cause syphilis, leptospirosis.
• Shape-shifting bacteria lack a cell wall.
• Flagellates are able to move. A striking example is the causative agent of cholera.

Diseases caused by bacteria are especially dangerous due to the poisoning of the body with the poisons of these bacteria - toxins. These toxins provoke inflammation and can damage internal organs. As long as the bacteria are alive, they release exotoxins. Dead bacteria release endotoxins. If many bacteria die, an infectious-toxic shock develops, which becomes the cause of the death of the body.

Bacterial and viral infection: what's the difference?

Bacteria are very different from viruses:

• They are more than viruses;
• This is a complete living organism that just needs food to provide and reproduce itself.

Until the twentieth century, doctors fought bacterial infections in the same way as with viral ones - they helped the body learn to fight the disease on its own. It turns out that in order to kill bacteria, you need to use special drugs - antibiotics and sulfonamides.

It is necessary to know the features of both types in order to understand how to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one by symptoms.

The incubation period of the viral is 1 - 5 days. Bacterial can appear even after 2 weeks. The prodromal period of a viral infection is pronounced and lasts a day, in a bacterial one it passes unnoticed.

With a virus, the disease provokes a high and often very rapidly growing temperature. The bacteria do not raise the temperature above 38 degrees. Otitis, sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia with meningitis are manifestations of bacterial lesions. SARS are common symptoms.

Bacterial infections can only be cured with antibiotics, they will not help ARVI. Antiviral drugs are needed here during the prodrome.

Children's bacterial infections

Once in the child's body, bacteria quickly multiply and in the process of their life begin to release toxins, which in turn affect organs and form diseases:

• Measles;
• Rubella;
• Chickenpox;
• Scarlet fever;
• Pig.

The most dangerous are bacterial intestinal infections. Microbes entering the child's body do not always manifest themselves in the form of a disease. Very often, an infected child does not show illness and this is very dangerous.

After a child has been ill with a certain disease, a strong immunity is developed in his body.

A bacterium (group A streptococcus) is caused by scarlet fever infection through airborne droplets or objects (dishes, toys) of a sick person. The dangerous period is the first 2-3 days. The main symptoms of a bacterial infection in children are:

1. temperature rise up to 39 degrees;
2. nausea or vomiting;
3. intoxication;
4. headache;
5. angina with edema;
6. white bloom on the tonsils and tongue;
7. rashes (small dots on a red background). Treat bacterial diseases (and scarlet fever) with antibiotics. It is necessary to give the patient a lot of drink to remove toxins. Children who have had scarlet fever acquire strong immunity.

Female bacterial infections

Women most often develop bacterial diseases associated with the urinary-reproductive system: vaginitis and vaginosis:

• Gardnerellosis;
• Yeast infection;
• Trichomoniasis.

When the vaginal ecosystem changes, vaginitis appears. Its causes are varied: taking medications, frequent douching, infection during sexual intercourse.

Bacterial vaginosis is a change or imbalance of bacteria in the vagina in the right amount.

Most often, bacterial infections develop in pregnant women, women who have intrauterine contraceptives and often douche.

A yeast infection (popularly called thrush) is "presented" by the Candida albicans fungus (genital candidiasis). Almost 75% of all women in the world have had this infection at least once. Factors that provoke this disease:

• Long-term use of antibiotics;
• Long-term use of contraceptives;
• Altered hormonal levels: pregnancy, menopause, vaginal cleansing, trauma when using tampons.

Bacterial infections in women have similar symptoms: discharge of a different color with a smell, itching and burning.

If a woman has bacterial vaginosis, a white or gray discharge will have an unpleasant fishy odor. In this case, there is a burning sensation during urination or itching in the vaginal area.

If there is a yeast infection, the discharge is thick, white-gray, curdled. The skin around the genitals is very itchy. There may also be pain during urination and intercourse. Allocations may not be.

If the discharge is frothy, yellow-green or gray, this is a sure sign of trichomoniasis. Symptoms are similar to urinary tract infections.

How are bacterial infections treated?

If a bacterial disease is detected in a child, an antibiotic must be used so as not to start the disease and not have health problems. The scheme of actions looks like this:

1. A visit to a doctor and a diagnosis;
2. Fast purchase of medicines prescribed by a doctor;
3. Taking medications strictly according to the doctor's recommendations or according to the instructions included in the package.

Self-medication should not take place.

Bacterial infections are difficult to treat. Why? First, there are numerous living organisms to confront. Second, these organisms adapt surprisingly quickly, so scientists have to come up with new antibiotics. The bacteria mutate, so antibiotics may not work. Sometimes it takes a long time before the antibiotic is selected that is capable of killing a given microbe. Thirdly, the same disease can be caused by different bacteria, which must be fought with special methods - a certain antibiotic.

Antibiotics can enter the body in the form of tablets, intravenous and intramuscular injections. A certain category of antibiotics only inhibits the growth of bacteria (tetracycline, phloramphenicol), while others destroy harmful fauna (penicillin, rifamycin, aminoglucosides).

Infections are of varying complexity. Certain infections involve vaccination. For example, there is a whole system of vaccination of children against childhood diseases (especially tetanus and diphtheria), as well as travelers before traveling to an exotic country with no less exotic diseases.

To avoid becoming a victim of bacteria, you must take precautions. The most common measures to prevent bacterial infections are:

• Immunotherapy;
• Antibiotic therapy;
• Avoidance of being in crowded places;
• Hygiene.

It should be remembered that some people are allergic to a specific antibiotic - skin rashes. The doctor should prescribe an antibiotic with a similar effect.

If antibiotics are taken haphazardly, not as directed by a doctor, the bacteria will become resistant to the drug and stop responding to it.

The cause of the development of various diseases in adults and children can be both various viruses and bacteria. In fact, viral pathologies and bacterial infections have much in common, so it is important to diagnose the nature of the disease in time. This is due to the fact that the treatment of viral and bacterial diseases is carried out using various methods. It is important to know the signs of a bacterial infection, because it is treated with antibiotics.

Bacteria are microorganisms characterized by a specific cell structure. They have a poorly expressed nucleus with various organelles that are covered with a membrane. If stained correctly, bacteria can be viewed under a light microscope.

In fact, bacteria are present in large numbers in the environment, but not all of them pose a threat to human health. Certain types of bacteria live freely in the human body and do not cause any pathologies in it. Some bacteria can enter humans in various ways and provoke the development of complex diseases. The manifestation of certain symptoms is determined by the components of the bacterial cell. This means that living microbes release toxins, which become the cause of poisoning in the body as a result of a malfunction of its immune system.

A common pathogen in childhood is conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, the localization of which is the respiratory system.

Signs of a bacterial infection

The whole process of development of a bacterial disease can be divided into several stages, each of which is accompanied by the appearance of certain symptoms:

1. Incubation period. At this stage, bacteria actively multiply and remain in the human body. Typically, during the incubation period, the appearance of characteristic symptoms is not observed. Usually, this period lasts from several hours to 2-3 weeks.
2. Prodromal period. During this period, general symptoms of the disease appear, and usually the patient complains of general malaise and high body temperature.
3. The height of the disease, that is, there is an active development of pathology and the infectious process reaches its peak.
4. The bacterial disease enters the stage of recovery and the patient's condition improves markedly.

Different bacteria that enter the human body can be accompanied by the appearance of different signs. One organ or the entire body can become the site of infection. In the event that a pathogenic microorganism enters the human body, then this does not immediately cause the development of the disease. Infection usually occurs without the appearance of pronounced symptoms.

For a long time, an adult or a child can only be a carrier of infection, and many microorganisms live in the body for years and do not manifest themselves in any way. Their active vital activity can be caused by the impact on the body of such negative factors as severe hypothermia, stressful situations and infections of viral origin.

In children, with the development of a bacterial infection in the body, the following symptoms may appear:

• rise in body temperature above 39 degrees
• bouts of nausea and vomiting
• severe intoxication of the body
• frequent headaches
• education on the tonsils and tongue plaque white
• the appearance of rashes of a different nature

Often bacterial infections affect the female body and cause the development of pathologies of the genitourinary system. In women, the following diseases can be detected:

• trichomoniasis
• yeast infection
• gardnerellosis

In the event that there is a change in the vaginal microflora, then this causes the development of vaginitis. The reason for this pathological condition may be taking medications for a long time, douching and penetration of infection into the female body during intercourse. Bacterial infections in women are accompanied by the following symptoms:

• of various colors and consistencies
• developing a feeling of itching and burning
• pain during
• discomfort during intercourse

With the development of a disease such as trichomoniasis, a woman may have discharge colored yellow-green or gray.

Diagnostic methods

The main method for detecting infections of this nature in children and adults is conducting. For research, the patient is sampled material that contains bacteria.

In the event that there is a suspicion of a pathology of the upper respiratory tract, then a sputum analysis is performed.

After this, the material for research is placed in a special environment, after which the result is evaluated. Thanks to such a study, it is possible not only to identify bacteria, but also to determine their sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.

A patient with suspicion of a bacterial infection is carried out, and such an analysis is one of the important.

The fact is that the progression of a bacterial infection in the patient's body is accompanied by an increase in the level due to an increase in the number of neutrophils. Usually, with bacterial diseases, there is an increase in the number of stab neutrophils, and metamyelocytes and myelocytes may also increase.All this leads to the fact that there is a decrease in the relative level of white blood cells, but quite high.

Treatment features

When diagnosing bacterial infections in children, treatment is carried out with antibacterial drugs. Thanks to them, it is possible to prevent the progression of pathology and avoid health problems. It should be remembered that the treatment of bacterial infections is carried out only under the supervision of the attending physician, and it is best to refuse any self-medication.

Treating bacterial infections is not easy because the body has to resist a large number of microorganisms. Bacteria adapt too quickly to the conditions of existence and all new drugs have to be invented.Bacteria can mutate, so many antibacterial drugs may not work on them.

In addition, the development of the same disease can be caused by various bacteria, which can be eliminated only with the help of a certain antibacterial agent.

Usually, complex therapy is used to fight bacterial infections, which includes:

• Elimination of the cause of the pathology using bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibacterial drugs.
• Cleansing the patient's body of toxins that accumulate during the progression of the infection. In addition, it is important to heal organs that have been damaged by infection.
• Conducting symptomatic treatment to alleviate the patient's condition and reduce the severity of symptoms. When the upper respiratory organs are infected, cough medications are prescribed, and for gynecological diseases, local antibiotics are indicated.

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

When treating bacterial infections, antibiotics can be taken in pill form, and they can also be given intramuscularly by injection. It is possible to inhibit the growth of bacteria with:

• Tetracycline
• Chloramphenicol

You can destroy harmful fauna with the help of antibiotics such as:

• Penicillin
• Rifamycin
• Aminoglycosides

Among penicillins, the following antibacterial drugs are considered the most effective:

• Amoxicillin
• Amoxicar
• Augmentin
• Amoxiclav

Today, thanks to antibacterial treatment, it is possible to get rid of various types of infections. It is important to remember that only a specialist should prescribe drugs, as bacteria can develop drug resistance. It is necessary to resort to taking antibacterial drugs at the very beginning of the development of the disease, which will prevent the spread of infection throughout the body, and speed up the healing process.

Taking antibacterial drugs in the fight against bacteriological infections can cause irreversible changes in the body. In addition, some patients are prone to developing allergic reactions to certain antibiotics and this must be taken into account when prescribing a medication.In order to prevent bacterial infections from entering the human body, certain precautions are recommended. To do this, you need to observe hygiene, avoid being in crowded places, and also increase the defenses of your body.

Update: October 2018

Probably, every representative of the weaker sex at least once during her life met with such a disease as bacterial vaginosis of the vagina. This unpleasant companion is not so much dangerous in its manifestations as in complications, the appearance of which can provoke.

But this disease acquires the greatest danger during pregnancy, therefore, it requires maximum sanitation of the vaginal microflora and the restoration of normal microbiocenosis.

What is this ailment?

Speaking of such a disease - bacterial vaginosis, they mean a nonspecific inflammatory syndrome, in which the vaginal microbiocenosis changes significantly in quantitative terms towards an increase in opportunistic microflora due to anaerobic bacteria and a decrease in lactic acid bacteria or Doderlein sticks.

Other names for the disease are gardnerellosis, vaginal dysbiosis or anaerobic vaginosis. Considering that a variety of microorganisms is observed during this process, the name "bacterial" is quite justified. However, the absence of signs of an inflammatory reaction (leukocytes) in smears, the term "vaginitis" has undergone changes to "vaginosis". The disease occurs in 15 - 80% of cases.

Classification of vaginal dysbiosis

According to the severity of vaginal dysbiosis, there are:

• compensated or 1 degree (there is no microflora in the smear, epithelial cells are present unchanged and the possibility of infection with other pathogenic microorganisms remains);
• subcompensated or 2 degree (the content of Doderlein rods decreases, the gram-negative and gram-positive flora increases, there are from 1 to 5 "key" cells, a slight increase in leukocytes - up to 15 - 25);
• decompensated or 3 degree (there is no lactic acid bacteria, there is a clinical picture of the disease, "key" cells all over, various pathogenic and facultative or opportunistic microorganisms).

Acute, torpid or erased and asymptomatic vaginal dysbiosis is isolated along the flow.

Causes and mechanism of development of vaginal dysbiosis

It is known that the vagina is inhabited by lactobacilli or lactic acid bacteria (Doderlein sticks), the function of which is to process glycogen and synthesize lactic acid from it, which creates an acidic environment, thus inhibiting the reproduction of facultative and pathogenic microflora.

Among other things, Doderlein sticks also produce hydrogen peroxide, providing a disinfecting effect. In the case of a decrease in the content of Doderlein sticks, the acidic environment (3.8 - 4.5) of the vagina shifts to the alkaline side, thus provoking the growth of opportunistic microorganisms.

If in the normal vaginal microflora, lactic acid bacteria are in the amount of 95% or more of all microorganisms, then the remaining percentages fall on the opportunistic flora (bacteroids, peptococci, staphylococcus and others).

The causes of bacterial vaginosis are not the multiplication of any one opportunistic microorganism, but the association of microbes. These include, first of all, gardnerella, mobilinkus, and mycoplasma. With this disease, the number of anaerobic (not requiring oxygen) bacteria mainly increases.

Provoking factors

All factors that contribute to the onset of the disease can be divided into 2 groups:

Endogenous or internally acting

• Vitamin C

At the same time, vitamin C is prescribed (1 tablet three times a day), which not only stimulates the immune system, but also improves tissue regeneration, reduces the permeability of the vascular walls, as a result of which the extravasation of fluid into the vagina decreases.

• Vaginal instillations

Also, the first stage of therapy includes vaginal instillations of 2% lactic or boric acid once a day for a week. Such manipulations contribute to the creation of an acidic environment, which is unfavorable for the reproduction of anaerobes.

• You should also take antiallergic drugs (suprastin, tavegil, see).

Microflora restoration

At the second stage, the use of biological products (intravaginal administration) is started. Apilak, acylact, bifidumbacterin, lactobacterin and others are used. To do this, 2 - 3 doses are diluted with 5 ml of boiled water, the swab is blotted with the resulting solution and injected intravaginally twice a day (after 10 - 12 hours). The duration of treatment is 7 to 10 days.

You can use candles:

• Bifidumbacterin (live bifidobacteria) 1 suppository 2 r / day for 5-10 days.
• Bifikol (dried bifidobacteria) 7 - 10 days.
• Acylact 10 days (110 rubles).
• Lactozhinal (450 rubles), Vagilak (500 rubles) lactobacilli, 1 vaginal capsule for 10 days in the morning and evening.

Treatment of bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy

How to treat bacterial vaginosis in case of pregnancy? In the first trimester of gestation, systemic therapy of the disease is not performed (metronidazole and other drugs are toxic to the embryo). Local administration of etiotropic drugs in the early stages is used with caution.

Reception of metronidazole or clindamycin begins in the second trimester and is carried out in short courses. Metronidazole 0.5 g (2 tablets) twice a day for 3 to 5 days, and clindamycin is prescribed at a dosage of 0.3 g. 2 times a day for 5 days.

Prevention measures

To prevent frequent recurrences of the disease, promiscuous sexual intercourse should be excluded, and condoms should be used for casual intercourse. It is also necessary to strengthen the immune system, correct hormonal imbalance and endocrine diseases, undergo medical examinations by a gynecologist at least 2 times a year.

To strengthen local immunity, the Solko-Trichovac vaccine was used, the introduction of which is carried out intramuscularly, 3 times after 2 weeks. One year later, a single revaccination is performed. The introduction of the vaccine creates immunity against vaginal dysbiosis for 2 years.