Getting sick is never fun, no matter what the underlying cause is. While some illnesses are mild and go away on their own, others can be severe and long lasting. How severe your symptoms are, how long they last, and the best course of treatment all depend on what the underlying cause is. One factor which often impacts how severe your illness symptoms are and whether your symptoms require medical treatment is whether you have a viral or bacterial infection. Bacterial infections are often more severe than viral infections, and usually require medical treatment in the form of prescription antibiotics to clear up. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between viral and bacterial infections.
If you’re feeling under the weather, seeking medical care for treatment is the most effective way to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms and ensure you’re treating your symptoms effectively. At AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst, our walk-in clinic offers same-day lab testing services for illness diagnosis. Walk into the clinic today, or schedule your visit in advance below.
Key Differences Between Viral and Bacterial Infections
All illnesses are caused by some form of an infection. Contagious illnesses are caused by either a virus or bacteria which enters the body and attacks it from the inside. Viral and bacterial infections can cause very similar symptoms in some cases, however, a general rule is that bacterial infections are often more severe and long lasting than viral infections. Your immune system will have a harder time fighting off a bacterial infection, so symptoms may be persistent over a week, and can include severe symptoms like a high fever. Both viral and bacterial infections can be contagious, depending on the kind of infection.
Common Symptoms to Watch For
If you’re feeling sick and wondering whether your symptoms align with a viral or bacterial infection, there are a few things you should consider. Firstly, have your symptoms begun as a mild illness, but rapidly worsened over time? This is a sign that you have developed a secondary infection which oftentimes is bacterial. Similarly, if you’re experiencing a high fever, you likely have a bacterial infection. However, if your symptoms are manageable at home, you likely have a viral infection. It can be difficult to self-diagnose the underlying cause of illness symptoms without diagnostic testing, so you should always seek medical care for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment Options for Viral vs Bacterial Infections
One of the most significant differences between viral and bacterial infections is the course of treatment. For viral infections, your immune system will clear up the infection on its own in most cases. However, bacterial infections often require medical treatment to fully resolve without complications. In many cases, bacterial infections require antibiotics to kill off the bacteria. This is why you should always seek medical care for evaluation. Delaying care could result in complications and a longer recovery time.
Walk into AFC Lyndhurst for Same-Day Illness Diagnosis & Treatment
If you’re feeling sick, treatment options can vary depending on the underlying cause of your symptoms. That is why it is important to seek medical care for diagnostic testing. Accurately diagnosing the cause of your symptoms will ensure that you’re treating them as effectively as possible, resulting in a faster recovery than if you were to try to treat your symptoms at home.
At AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst, our walk-in clinic offers same-day diagnostic testing for illness symptoms for patients near Lyndhurst, NJ. We’re open 7 days a week, and have a laboratory on-site for rapid same-day illness diagnosis. We work with most medical insurance plans, and offer competitive rates for self-paying patients. Walk into the clinic today for same-day care, or give us a call to learn more at (201) 345-3839.
