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It’s hard to tell the difference between a virus and bacterial infection as they have similar symptoms. A high fever may indicate a bacterial infection, and symptoms worsening after a few days may also suggest a bacterial infection. It’s best to see a doctor for tests to determine the cause of the illness.
It can be difficult to distinguish between a virus and a bacterial infection because both can cause the same kinds of symptoms. Many people think that symptoms like fever and yellow or greenish mucus mean a person has a bacterial infection, but these symptoms can also occur with viruses. A person with a very high fever may be more likely to have a bacterial infection. Similarly, an infection that lasts longer than about 10 to 14 days or gets worse after a few days may be bacterial. To be on the safe side, however, you will most likely need to visit a doctor for tests that can determine the cause of an infection.
Without the help of a doctor, it can be difficult to determine if you have a virus or bacterial infection. Unfortunately, you can have the same symptoms with both — both are capable of causing fever, sore throat, fatigue, and aches. You may have discolored mucus, a headache, an upset stomach, and a host of other symptoms. You can, however, consider the extent of your symptoms and how long they last when judging what type of infection you have.
One factor to consider is the severity of the fever. Often, individuals with viruses have low-grade fevers while those with bacterial infections have higher temperatures. It is possible to develop a high fever with a virus, however, and vice versa. You may also suspect you have a bacterial infection rather than a virus if a high fever persists for more than a couple of days.
Sometimes, you can judge whether you have a virus or bacterial infection by changes in your symptoms. For example, if your symptoms worsen after a few days of being sick, you may have a bacterial infection. This could mean that you started out with a virus that became complicated by bacteria, or you’ve always had a bacterial infection. Also, symptoms that are initially severe and do not improve may indicate a bacterial infection.
The length of your illness can also provide clues. Typically, many, though not all, viral infections can be expected to clear up within about 10 to 14 days. If you are sick for more than two weeks, you may have a bacterial infection instead.
The best way to know if you have a virus or bacterial infection is to see a doctor. He or she may run tests to determine the cause of your illness, often using throat or urine cultures or blood tests for this purpose.
