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A member asked:
How we differentiated cough by virus or by bacteria only on clinical symptom?
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Viral versus: Bacterial process can not be determined by symptoms only. Additional information needed to decide.
Answered 3/11/2013
5.3k views
Not easy: There must be an evaluation of symptom intensity (bacterial usually worse and can be life-threatening and fast evolving). X- rays can help rule out bacterial. A blood white cell count will usually be low or normal with viral. A sputum culture taken to grow out pathogenic bacteria is quite definitive. Viral - itises are usually self-limiting, and antibiotics do not affect viral conditions.
Answered 10/25/2014
5.3k views
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