Cold, Flu and Viral Infections Forum - Bacterial and viral upper respiratory infections

Conditions and Diseases > Cold, Flu and Viral Infections Forum > Bacterial and viral upper respiratory infections

The common cold is probably the most well known illness known to man. But did you know that it's a virus? Read to learn the basics about cold here....

Q: Bacterial and viral upper respiratory infections

asked by: DoctorQuestion on July 8th, 2008

Is this something that will clear up on its own or do I need antibiotics?

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on July 10th, 2008

Cold, Flu and Viral Infections Answer A4399

Current medical status: Woke up with a sore throat on Saturday morning, 7-5-08. The next day it evolved into sneezing and a runny nose. Monday it was severe cold symptoms. Today, 7-8-08, I have both ears hurting and my cheeks are sensitive to the touch. My face is swollen and I am coughing more and sneezing more.

Given your symptoms, you probably have an upper respiratory infection. If the infection is caused by a virus (which is more likely) you don’t need antibiotics. A viral upper respiratory infection will pass spontaneously in a week. If the infection is caused by bacterium (which is less possible) you may need antibiotics for faster recovery.

You need a medical examination to determine if the infection is viral or bacterial.

DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" questions are answered by certified physicians and other medical professionals who volunteer their time on eHealth Forum. For more information about experts participating in the "Ask a Doctor" Network, please visit our medical experts page. You may also visit our Cold, Flu and Viral Infections , for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The information provided on eHealth Forum is designed to improve, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician. Personal consultation(s) with a qualified medical professional is the proper means for diagnosing any medical condition.

This question has been answered by the doctor. This topic is now open for public discussion, however no comments below this point will be answered by a doctor.

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc