The difference between viral cold and influenza

Colds occur all year round. Colds are caused by viruses or bacteria. People with poor immunity are prone to viral or bacterial infections. So what is the difference between viral colds and bacterial colds?

The difference between viral colds and bacterial colds

1. Epidemic viral respiratory infections have the obvious characteristics of group outbreaks, with many people getting sick in a short period of time, or several people in a family getting sick; while bacterial respiratory infections are more common in sporadic forms, with few or no other patients with fever around the patient.

2. In case of viral upper respiratory tract infection, runny nose is more obvious than pharyngeal symptoms; in case of bacterial upper respiratory tract infection, redness, swelling and pain in tonsils or pharynx are more obvious. If accompanied by diarrhea or conjunctival congestion, it tends to be a viral infection.

3. Pure viral respiratory tract infections usually do not have purulent secretions, while purulent sputum is an important evidence of bacterial infection.

4. Viral infection has an acute onset, and systemic poisoning symptoms can be mild or severe; while bacterial infection can have an acute or slow onset, and systemic poisoning symptoms are relatively severe. If the fever is not high at the beginning, and the condition worsens after 2-3 days, it is mostly a bacterial infection.

5. White blood cell count. Generally, the total white blood cell count of a person with a virus infection is low or normal, and the neutrophil percentage may be slightly higher in the early stage. In bacterial infection, both the total white blood cell count and the neutrophil percentage are high. Therefore, if a blood picture is not examined clinically, it is difficult to determine whether the pathogen is a virus or a bacteria.

6. For patients with upper respiratory tract infection and fever, antipyretic drugs such as aspirin or analgin, compound aminopyrine, etc. can be used for treatment. Viral infection can achieve a temporary and significant antipyretic effect, and systemic symptoms are also improved; but for patients with bacterial infection, the antipyretic effect is poor when taking the same dose of antipyretic drugs, and systemic symptoms are not significantly improved. Bacterial colds increase white blood cells and neutrophils, while viral colds decrease. It is best to check blood routine.

Warm reminder: For common colds, you should pay more attention to rest, drink more water, eat more foods containing vitamins, and cooperate with the doctor's treatment. Finally, I wish you a speedy recovery.