Your opinion: Viral or bacterial infection?

Question

I've been sick for about two weeks. I went to the doctor a week ago and don't have strep; she prescribed antibiotics, but I didn't get them yet because I don't really think I have a bacterial infection. What do you think?

Here are my symptoms:

- irritated throat; junk in sinuses
- bad, slightly productive cough that hurts my back
- my eyeballs hurt; neck pain, stiff joints, headaches, general aching and exhaustion
- sweating a lot while asleep; sweating a lot for no particular reason
- can't tell if I have a fever; guess I might because of sweating
- glands aren't really swelled, but kind of hurt to touch

Ha. I'm pretty sure I don't have an STD. I get checked regularly anyway. I don't think my sinuses and chest would be acting up if I had an STD.

My doctor is and was fully aware that I would not take the antibiotics right away. (She couldn't tell whether I had a viral or bacterial infection.) I've been in contact with her about it.

And no matter how professional the doctor, antibiotics do not treat viral infections. More often than not, they kill more healthy than harmful bacteria and have tended to give me yeast infections.

Answer 1

you have a bacterial infection and you need to take care of it ASAP. It sounds like you have sinusitis , that is probably going into bronchitis and after bronchitis is pneumonia. when you sweat massively and have been this sick for two weeks, it is a very good indication that it is bacterial. when you have a viral infection, it should last for about a week and sometimes two, but you should feel better by the end of midweek of the 2nd week. follow the doctors orders, she is trained for this stuff. Their are other bacterial infections in the throat as well. Follow her orders.Viral infections can become bacterial. And yes antibiotics do tend to give effect of yeast infections especially broad spectrum, my adivce is to take probiotics such as lactobacillus acidophilus and eat yogurt that has active live cultures at the same time. but DO NOT RISK YOUR HEALTH AT THIS POINT. THIS SOUNDS SERIOUS ENOUGH. Yeast infections are minor every woman/man gets them, this sounds MAJOR at this point. As a Ob/Gyn I'd rather you take the antibiotics and tackle this bacteria than worry more about yeast. Take the antibiotics and if you don't feel better than see the doctor again and he/she will do more testing to find out what is going on and will put you on the right treatment and please follow doctors orders.

Answer 2

The symptoms could be bacterial or viral, and most likely you have both after 2 weeks, since either one will weaken your system and make you more susceptible to the other. Also, unless a throat culture was done, not even a doctor can be sure that you don't have strep. A sputum culture and sensativity could also be done to determine what you are infected with and which antibiotic is effective for it. You also should be taking lots of fluids for any type of upper respiratory infection and juices with vitamin c are also good. For the sore throat, salt water gargles are about the best home remedy. I would advise taking the antibiotic and follow the instructions, taking them until they are all gone, since the reason we have so many super bugs that are difficult to treat is because of improper use of antibiotics. If you stop taking just because you are feeling better, chances are there are still some bacteria left in your system and these ones will develop a resistance to the antibiotic, since the weaker ones have already been killed and only the stronger ones are surviving. If this does not take care of the infection, I would advise seeing the doctor again, as the night sweats are the number one symptom of TB. which is on the rise and is now very drug resistant.

Answer 3

Viral infections of this nature usually resolve themselves in a matter of days. The productive cough and active sinuses, make me leans towards bacterial.

You can buy a thermometer at the drug store for under 20 bucks, go get one so you know if you have a temp!

Even if it started out viral, all of the sinus irritation leaves you more prone to a bacterial infection. It might have started of as viral, but now you've picked up a bacterial one as well.

I'd take the antibiotics, after two weeks.

Answer 4

2 weeks is too long for a viral infection. You probably have sinusitis. Take the antibiotics. Take steam inhalation and get adequate rest. If there is no improvement in the next 3 or 4 days, see the doctor again for a change of antibiotic or get investigated for tuberculosis.

Answer 5

Having fever and productive cough specially when the colour of secretions is not white are in the favour of bacterial infection.General aching,exhaustion and runny nose are in the favour of viral infection like Influenza.I suggest you take your antibiotics as prescribed,maybe your doctor has seen exoda inside your throat.Besides most of the times viral infections get complicated followed by a bacterial infection.

Answer 6

these symptoms you are describing can be anything really ... did u have an std check ??? what worries me is the sweating while sleeping ... and you say 2 weeks now . id go get an std check to be on the safe side .. did u tell your doctor your sexually active ?? (if you are)since its the season for colds doctor might have over looked that part

Answer 7

Sounds like a bacterial infection to me, fever or not. Get the anti-biotics and take them exactly as prescribed. If that doesn't do it, go back to the doctor.

Answer 8

I believe you need to go and get that prescription filled. Seems to me your sinuses are most likely infected. The longer you wait the long it will take for you to heal.

Answer 9

let me see, so you paid money (I assume) for a professional's opinion, took his/hers time and yours to receive an educated diagnosis. You left the office not telling him/her your intention on not taking the antibiotic (I assume) and now you're on here asking for mostly non-professionals opinion.....I don't think you want my opinion!

Answer 10

you could have influenza a because it is going around right now and alot of people have it.