How do you know if it is viral or bacterial infection of respiratory?

Answer 1

The common cold is only caused by viruses. Other viruses can also cause similar symptoms (for example, the flu virus), however.

In addition, there can be upper respiratory bacterial infections (like tonsillitis or strep throat making a sore throat, sinus infections making a runny nose, bronchitis making a cough, etc.) that all may seem like a cold.

The typical difference between viral infections and bacterial infections is that bacterial infections more often produce fever and more often cause high fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, but sometimes only a doctor can tell the difference (and sometimes, even then, it takes laboratory testing to prove one microbe versus the other).

Answer 2

Your doctor will usually be able to tell. Usually bacterial is slightly worse, and it responds to antibiotics. Also, bacterial bronchitis tends to produce green or yellow mucus when you cough, while viral bronchitis is usually white or clear.

Answer 3

The overwhelming majority of laryngitis is viral. Bacterial laryngitis is exceedingly rare. If there's no improvement in 10 days, contact your health care provider.

Answer 4

A culture for bacteria, and I think they use rtPCR for viruses.