11 Symptoms of Bacterial Infection

If an infection continues for more than a few weeks, it is appropriate to get checked by the doctor to see if it is a bacterial infection. Usually, viral infections do not continue for much longer than a couple of weeks. To make the diagnosis even more complicated, sometimes what begins as a viral infection goes on to develop into a bacterial infection. If you have even the slightest doubt, consult your doctor. Through blood tests and cultures, doctors can diagnose which kind of infection the patient has developed.

Both bacterial and viral infections lead to fevers, but a key difference between them is that with viral infections, the fever develops and then declines after a few days. However, in the case of a bacterial infection, the fever may intensify. As a rule, bacterial infections produce fevers that are higher than those caused by viral infections. However, the viral flu may also cause a very high fever. Once again, the patient needs to get a competent medical diagnosis to know for certain which kind of infection they have.

A bacterial infection might give the patient a fever, but the doctor finds little trace of infection. A classic case is when a young child gets a bacterial urinary tract infection. Doctors recognize that this illness is very hard to identify, but if it is not treated promptly, it could cause kidney damage. Therefore, it is highly recommended that the child's urine be tested in these situations. The younger the child happens to be, the greater the need for caution.

A stiff neck can occasionally indicate meningitis, a serious bacterial infection that requires prompt medical attention. While this symptom is often caused by less concerning factors, such as poor posture, parents should be attentive if their child exhibits additional signs, like changes in mental awareness or unusual behavior. Although meningitis is rare, early evaluation by a healthcare professional can provide peace of mind and ensure appropriate care if needed. It’s always better to consult a doctor when in doubt.

Bacterial infections may lead to the patient becoming dehydrated if they fail to take their normal liquid intake. This is another area where parents need to be especially concerned about their children, and the younger they are, the greater care required to keep them well hydrated. Therefore, if a child seems to be drinking little and they do not pass urine more than three times in a 24-hour period take them for a medical checkup.

Everyone suffers from an upset stomach now and again, but a fever accompanies it there is a strong possibility that a bacterial infection causes this problem. One of the best-known of all the bacterial infections doctors classify as salmonella. You might be more familiar with it under its alternative names of food poisoning. If someone eats food that has gone rotten due to poor storage or it has become contaminated in some other way they might get this bacterial infection and suffer from an upset stomach

Bacterial infections can sometimes allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to a condition called sepsis. Symptoms may include fever, shaking, and low blood pressure. In severe cases, complications can occur, requiring immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment play a crucial role in improving outcomes, particularly for vulnerable groups such as older adults.

This is another common sign of a bacterial infection, although obviously, headaches have many other causes, such as dehydration or stress. Sometimes, a bacterial infection causes a relatively mild headache that makes the patient feel uncomfortable, but the patient can function normally more or less. Only if a headache becomes more severe to a point where it seriously interferes with their regular functioning do they need to go to the doctor.

The lymph nodes are found under the arms, at the back of the neck and various other places on the body. When a bacterial infection develops, these nodes may become swelled as they try to fight off the bacterial attacks. While this is a normal bodily reaction, and usually, there is no cause for excessive concern, this could also be the symptom of a much more serious illness. Anyone who experiences this swelling should consult a doctor just to make sure there is no real reason for concern and to determine the best treatment course.

Certain kinds of bacterial infections can also be detected through the skin problems they cause. Patients might notice blisters appear, or they get a rash or some other kind of skin discoloration. However, a connection between a skin problem and a bacterial infection cannot be automatically assumed. For example, an allergy might cause a rash. Once again, only a medical professional has the knowledge and testing tools to uncover the source of this problem.

It is quite common to get bacteria-related eye infections. The most frequently encountered is called conjunctivitis, although some prefer the popular name pinkeye. Redness in the eye characterizes it, and the patient might also experience discharges from the eyes, and a blurring of vision. Usually, this condition is easily treated with antibiotic eye drops.