The weather is getting colder and many children are prone to colds. How to distinguish between viral colds and bacterial colds in children?

Generally speaking, if it is a viral infection, the children's poisoning symptoms are relatively mild. Although they have a cold, their mental state is still relatively good; if it is a bacterial infection, the children's systemic poisoning symptoms are relatively mild. If the condition is severe, the mental aspect is often poor, the whole person is listless, tired, unable to move, etc. Symptoms of viral colds and bacterial colds

Viral colds have a higher incidence, accounting for about 80-90% of upper respiratory tract infections, and most of them are rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, etc. Symptoms usually include sneezing, runny nose, cough, a small amount of white sputum, itchy throat, and a feeling of normal energy. Severe cases may include high fever, chills, headache, etc. It usually takes about 7 days to recover.

The incidence of bacterial colds is less, about 20-30%, and can occur alone or secondary to decreased immunity caused by viral colds. Symptoms include obvious sore throat, coughing up yellow purulent sputum, and poor energy. Fever is mostly moderate to low fever, and high fever is rare, such as irritability. Physical examination shows congestion of tonsils.

Look at the nasal discharge

Generally speaking, viral infection does not cause inflammation, so the discharge from the nose is usually clear, and the sputum coughed up is relatively small, which is very serious. Thin; if it is a bacterial infection, due to inflammation, the discharged nasal mucus is usually purulent, and the expectoration is more phlegm, which is usually yellow phlegm or purulent phlegm. Laboratory test results

Clinically, viral colds and bacterial colds can be judged through some laboratory test results. As long as the total number of white blood cells is low or normal, the proportion of lymphocytes is increased, and CRP and procalcitonin are normal, it indicates a viral infection; as long as the white blood cells are elevated, CRP is elevated, and procalcitonin is elevated, it indicates a bacterial infection. How are viral colds and bacterial colds generally treated?

When a child has a cold, the most important thing for parents is to learn to judge the severity of the cold. If the child's symptoms are mild and his mental state is okay, he can handle it at home; but if his symptoms are obvious and his mental state is poor, it is best to go to the hospital for treatment. If you can't tell the severity, it's better to go to the hospital for a blood test and let the doctor know if there is pneumonia or the like.

Some children always catch colds repeatedly, and parents are not sure what is going on. They rely on their own experience. It is best to go to the hospital for a checkup. It may be allergic rhinitis. etc. Of course, it is also possible that children have low immunity. Conclusion

In short, children with colds also need to be alert to changes in the child's condition. Many pneumonias also start with cold symptoms. Colds can also cause viral myocarditis, especially in young infants with fever. Be sure to rule out other serious infections and do not assume that it is caused by colds. A fever in a baby is a common cold.