Question 1

how can i distinguish between a viral fever caused by cold and a fever caused by strep bacteria?

Accepted Answer

You can't : Viral and bacterial infections both cause fevers. To diagnose a viral verses bacterial infection a history and physical and appropriate studies are required.

Question 2

is strep throat bacterial or viral?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial: Due to  a streptococcus, usually strep group a.   Most sore thrats are due to viruses, which should not be  treated with antibiotics.  A rapid strep test and/or culture can help diagnose strep throat,  to determine whether antibiotics are indicated.

Question 3

what is the difference between strep / bacterial tonsillitis and viral tonsillitis?

Accepted Answer

Different agents: Viral tonsillitis is from a virus such as epstein-barr or adenovirus.  Antibiotics don't help.  Strep and other bacterial tonsillitis are caused by bacteria against which antibiotics work.  Symptoms and throat appearance are very similar.

Question 4

i got dx w/pharingitis. the strep test was negative, but the np went ahead and rx a z-pak. if this were viral and not bacterial, would meds harm me?

Accepted Answer

Excellent question: There are 2 points I wish to make.  First, if you have a viral infection, placing you on an antibiotic may be harmful because you are killing off "good" bacteria in the nasopharynx. Secondly,  azithromycin is not a good choice for UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS because this drug is not effective against NTHI.  Finally, a rapid strep test only rules out Strep.  A regular throat culture better.

Question 5

what is the difference between a bacterial strep throat, and a viral sore throat like people have with mono?

Accepted Answer

The cause: They can look almost identical so blood tests and throat culture are needed.

Question 6

have chills, body pains, cough, dull head ache. had fever until yesterday (101). strep test -ve. flu test -ve. is this viral? or bacterial?

Accepted Answer

Flu: Sounds like flu symptoms.  Usually an illness would start as a virus then become bacterial.  If this gets worse then you should see a doctor.

Question 7

will viral or bacterial pneumonia cure itself depending on time?

Accepted Answer

Maybe but it depends: I know you want a more definitive answer but my crystal ball is in the shop being repaired. Is it possible to get over an pneumonia (and for that matter, any other infection) w/o taking antibiotics? Sure! but unless the infection is mild and you're super healthy, the odds aren't in your favor. While we can't treat viral infections (unlike bacterial ones), we can provide respiratory, etc support.

Question 8

i've had bacterial meningitus once and viral 3 times over 18 year time. are there long term effects from these illnesses? or from so many lp?

Accepted Answer

Meningitis: Long-term complications of meningitis can include memory loss, residual headache, learning difficulties, and weakness to name a few. If you have recurrent cases of meningitis, you could have a condition called "mollaret's meningitis". For more information, talk to your doctor and visit: http://www.Meningitisfoundationofamerica.Org/templates/content-view/92/index.Html.

Question 9

my son has been on abx for 5 days for an ear infection. now he has a fever again from a cold. possible to have viral and bacterial infx at same time?

Accepted Answer

Likely viral...: Sure, quite possible. 
I wouldn't rush to a doctor again unless he isn't able to tolerate food, unable to urinate or looking quite ill (lethargic etc). Sometimes the fever can wax and wane until it fully resolves. This is common after both a bacterial or viral infection.

Question 10

i've been sick 6 times this year with different viral/bacterial infections. should i be worried about leukemia?

Accepted Answer

Boost Immune system: Frequent illness doesn't necessarily point to cancer. It looks like you have been on a lot of antibiotics and although these help fight serious bacterial infections, if used too often they can lower your immune system. Antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria. When this happens in the gut the bad take over and the good cannot protect you.Then you get sick again. Probiotics, diet, etc. Can help.

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Doctor answers about:

Can you have viral and bacteria strep same time

A member asked:

How can i distinguish between a viral fever caused by cold and a fever caused by strep bacteria?

A member asked:

Is strep throat bacterial or viral?

A member asked:

What is the difference between strep / bacterial tonsillitis and viral tonsillitis?

A member asked:

I got dx w/pharingitis. the strep test was negative, but the np went ahead and rx a z-pak. if this were viral and not bacterial, would meds harm me?

A member asked:

What is the difference between a bacterial strep throat, and a viral sore throat like people have with mono?

A member asked:

Have chills, body pains, cough, dull head ache. had fever until yesterday (101). strep test -ve. flu test -ve. is this viral? or bacterial?

A member asked:

Will viral or bacterial pneumonia cure itself depending on time?

A member asked:

I've had bacterial meningitus once and viral 3 times over 18 year time. are there long term effects from these illnesses? or from so many lp?

A member asked:

My son has been on abx for 5 days for an ear infection. now he has a fever again from a cold. possible to have viral and bacterial infx at same time?

A member asked:

I've been sick 6 times this year with different viral/bacterial infections. should i be worried about leukemia?

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