Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Are The Symptoms Of Bacterial Or Viral Infection?
Question: my symptoms are bad cough, some congestion, body aches, and a temp. of 100. I am coughing up a lot of yellow mucus. I do have prescription cough medicine and also taking guifeisen, sudafed and aleve. what would be the symtoms that I have a bacteria infection or a virus? what would you recommend?
Brief Answer:
Viral vs. bacterial infection
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that you are having severe cough with yellow productive sputum and fever. You are concerned that it maybe bacterial infection. It is frequently difficult to tell from symptoms alone if a person is having viral or bacterial infection. The most telling sign is a cough productive sputum that is green or with blood. The fever is usually much higher usually 101-104 and there is wheezing or shortness of breath. If you are seen by a medical professional x-rays and a physical exam will help distinguish between viral and bacterial infection.
In summary
1. Viral lower fever, cough productive clear to yellow no shortness of breath of wheezing
2. Bacterial higher fever cough productive green and or with blood, wheezing and shortness of breath
3. If you think you may have a bacterial infection see a medical provider for antibiotic therapy
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Viral vs. bacterial infection
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that you are having severe cough with yellow productive sputum and fever. You are concerned that it maybe bacterial infection. It is frequently difficult to tell from symptoms alone if a person is having viral or bacterial infection. The most telling sign is a cough productive sputum that is green or with blood. The fever is usually much higher usually 101-104 and there is wheezing or shortness of breath. If you are seen by a medical professional x-rays and a physical exam will help distinguish between viral and bacterial infection.
In summary
1. Viral lower fever, cough productive clear to yellow no shortness of breath of wheezing
2. Bacterial higher fever cough productive green and or with blood, wheezing and shortness of breath
3. If you think you may have a bacterial infection see a medical provider for antibiotic therapy
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
