Ads
related to: bacterial infection vs viral infections in children treatment
Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
It is unclear if rapid viral testing in the emergency department for children with acute febrile respiratory infections reduces the rates of antibiotic use, blood testing, or urine testing. [11] The relative risk reduction of chest x-ray utilization in children screened with rapid viral testing is 77% compared with controls. [11]
Infectious diseases specialists employ a variety of antimicrobial agents to help treat infections. The type of antimicrobial depends on the organism that is causing the infection. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections; antiviral agents treat viral infections; and antifungal agents treat fungal infections. [citation needed]
Only a few viral infections are painful, like herpes. The pain of viral infections is often described as itchy or burning. [11] The classic symptoms of a bacterial infection are localized redness, heat, swelling and pain. One of the hallmarks of a bacterial infection is local pain, pain that is in a specific part of the body.
Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in one or both lungs. The pulmonary alveoli fill with fluid or pus making it difficult to breathe. [1] Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. [1] Viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children, while in adults bacteria are a more common cause. [2]
Most often it is caused by viral infection and hence antibiotic therapy is not indicated in immunocompetent individuals. [10] [7] Viral bronchitis can sometimes be treated using antiviral medications depending on the virus causing the infection, and medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs and expectorants can help mitigate the symptoms.
In children, half of cases resolve in 10 days and 90% in 15 days. [92] Severe complications, if they occur, are usually in the very old, the very young, or those who are immunosuppressed. [21] Secondary bacterial infections may occur resulting in sinusitis, pharyngitis, or an ear infection. [93]
Strep throat is a common bacterial infection in children. [2] It is the cause of 15–40% of sore throats among children [7] [13] and 5–15% among adults. [8] Cases are more common in late winter and early spring. [13] Potential complications include rheumatic fever and peritonsillar abscess. [1] [2]
[5]: 28 Most infections are viral in nature, and in other instances, the cause is bacterial. [6] URTIs can also be fungal or helminthic in origin, but these are less common. [7]: 443–445 In 2015, 17.2 billion cases of URTIs are estimated to have occurred. [1] As of 2016, they caused about 3,000 deaths, down from 4,000 in 1990. [8]