The signs and symptoms of each infectious disease are unique. The following are five common signs and symptoms of a variety of infectious diseases: fever, diarrhea, fatigue, coughing, and muscle aches.
How do you know when your body is fighting a virus?
If it's a viral illness, typically symptoms are shorter lasting and classically the symptoms include fever, chills, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and a lot of times you can have some body aches. A lot of times the symptoms last for maybe three days to a week and then slowly get better over time.
If the infection has spread or you have a generalized infection, you may develop other signs and symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, pain, etc. Sometimes however, you may have an infection and not know it, and not have any symptoms.
What does your body do when you have an infection?
Our bodies often respond with fever (heat inactivates many viruses), the secretion of a chemical called interferon (which blocks viruses from reproducing), or by marshaling the immune system's antibodies and other cells to target the invader.
But oftentimes, your body can't fight the infection naturally, and you need to take antibiotics - medication that kills the bacteria. Antibiotics come in many forms, including pills, injections, creams, drops, and intravenously.
Not all bacterial infections need to be treated — some go away on their own. When you do need treatment, healthcare providers use antibiotics. Depending on where your infection is and how serious it is, antibiotics can be prescribed as: Oral medication (pills).
Testing. A lab test is the only ironclad way to determine if you truly need an antibiotic. A physician can collect a sample of bodily gunk (whatever you can cough up or blow out of your nose) or take a throat swab. In general, a culture, in which bacteria are grown in the lab and tested, can take a day or two.
How do doctors tell the difference between viral and bacterial infections?
Your doctor may need a sample of your urine, stool or blood, or a swab from your nose or throat to see what sort of infection you have. If you have symptoms on an infection, it is important to know if it is caused by bacteria or viruses, because the treatments differ.
Symptoms in case of acute Bacterial Infections may get resolved spontaneously in a duration of approx. two weeks, without undergoing treatment. However, in chronic cases when the symptoms persist for a longer duration, such as for 10 or more days, there is a need for the consultation with a doctor.
Bacterial infections can cause some general symptoms, such as pain, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. They may also cause some other symptoms depending on where in the body they occur. Bacterial infections typically require treatment with antibiotics.
Honey is one the oldest known antibiotics, tracing back to ancient times. Egyptians frequently used honey as a natural antibiotic and skin protectant. Honey contains hydrogen peroxide , which may account for some of its antibacterial properties.
Not in dispute: Vitamin C is vital for the function of leukocytes – white blood cells that help fight infections – and you need a lot more when you're sick.
