Soooo how does the Dr KNOW if your child has a virus or a bacterial infection?

I am confused. They have asked me about fever? Kids had a fever and was still told it was a virus(which dragged on for 3 weeks until I kind of demanded antibiotics and they were feeling better in 2 days ) They ended up getting ear infections and the Drs still said-oh well viral can turn into other infections...

So I am curious. How does your Dr tell if your child has a virus or not?

Re: Soooo how does the Dr KNOW if your child has a virus or a bacterial infection?

I think outside of hard evidence like a positive strep test (or perhaps bloodwork in a hospital, etc) they don't really have a 100% way of telling.

I think they rely more on "soft signs". Like for example, I took my 9 month old in because she had presented with a cold that turned into a wet cough that wasn't improving after a few days. No fever had been present during that time. The dr said let's assume it's just viral, do nothing, and only bring her back in if she suddenly developed a fever of 101+ after all these days of not having one. I think that's because when a person is sick with a viral illness, all the fluid collecting in the ears, sinuses, lungs etc combined with a run-down immune system often create the perfect breeding ground for a secondary bacterial infection (like ear infection, pneumonia, sinus infection etc) and the sudden fever after all these days would have indicated a secondary infection had occurred.

Anyway, that's just my theory. I'm not a medical person.

Re: Soooo how does the Dr KNOW if your child has a virus or a bacterial infection?

If there are no other symptoms (like a red throat, ear infection, etc.) they assume it is viral. My ped. does blood work if the fever does not go away after 3-4 days. Of course if during those 3 days if other symptoms arise than he would do testing earlier or put them on antibiotics.

Re: Soooo how does the Dr KNOW if your child has a virus or a bacterial infection?

There a couple of things that they look at like

-If multiple body parts are affected like sore throat, runny nose, cough etc. it is usually viral.

-High fever is usually indicative of a bacterial infection, with the exception of viral illnesses that are known to cause high fever like roseola.

-A viral infection will start to get better within 3 days and is usually gone by 10 days. A bacterial infection will get worse, although many resolve themselves as well.

As I'm sure you know, ear infections are common following colds. So many peds want to wait 10-14 days to see if an ear infection develops and symptoms persist before prescribing antibiotics.

Re: Soooo how does the Dr KNOW if your child has a virus or a bacterial infection?

My ped does a blood count. I don't think there is any other way to know for sure just by looking at them or their symptoms.

Re: Soooo how does the Dr KNOW if your child has a virus or a bacterial infection?

Re: Soooo how does the Dr KNOW if your child has a virus or a bacterial infection?

Posted by Goobster

Posted by itsbabytime

My ped does a blood count. I don't think there is any other way to know for sure just by looking at them or their symptoms.

What are they looking for in the blood count? DO you mean blood count or blood culture?

I think white blood cells would be raised whether it was viral or bacterial if there is a fever. But maybe I am wrong...maybe only WBCs would be raised if it was bacterial?

Re: Soooo how does the Dr KNOW if your child has a virus or a bacterial infection?

Posted by Goobster

Posted by itsbabytime

My ped does a blood count. I don't think there is any other way to know for sure just by looking at them or their symptoms.

What are they looking for in the blood count? DO you mean blood count or blood culture?

I think white blood cells would be raised whether it was viral or bacterial if there is a fever. But maybe I am wrong...maybe only WBCs would be raised if it was bacterial?

Re: Soooo how does the Dr KNOW if your child has a virus or a bacterial infection?

I was told today at the ped's office that if the fever remains consistent (ex. 103 degrees over a few days) then it is probably bacterial. He told me that a temp caused by the virus would tend to decrease or fluctuate rather than remain constant. HTH.

Re: Soooo how does the Dr KNOW if your child has a virus or a bacterial infection?

Thanks everyone! Great info. We need a pediatrician to join. There is one on one of my other Mom boards, and its great!