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How to differentiate between a viral or bacterial infection?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I had an IV treatment for fever. I took four doses of Monocef 1 gm. My fever is gone, and I am feeling better. I still have a sore throat, and there is a lot of mucus generated. The mucus is transparent. How do I confirm that I have got a viral or bacterial infection? Since my fever went down with antibiotics can it be bacterial? I asked my treating doctor regarding this and he said it is bacterial? How did he know it?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. Distinguishing between viral and bacterial infection relies primarily on obtaining a mucus sample and subjecting it to culture to pinpoint the responsible microorganism. Your doctor likely inferred a bacterial infection due to your favorable response to antibiotics. This response indicates that the treatment targeted the bacterial cause effectively.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At January 13, 2017
Reviewed AtMay 7, 2024

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