One of the problems with having some kind of respiratory or gastrointestinal infection is that of determining when or if one needs to go to the doctor. A bacterial infection requires antibiotics and a viral infection does not. In fact, one of the major problems we have with antibiotic-resistant bacteria stems from too many people being given antibiotics for viral infections.
The body has an immune system made to deal with bacteria, nor viruses. The symptoms of the flu (aching, sore muscles and joints, brain fog, extreme fatigue) are just side-effects of the immune system ramping up to try to deal with the infection. The body has no defense against viruses so as the infection worsens, so does the body's attempt to combat it... which leads to even more of the flu-like symptoms. Eventually the viruses do their thing and leave, which usually takes anywhere from three days to two weeks.
Some viruses hide in our nerves, like herpes, which causes cold sores/fever blisters, genital sores, shingles, or chicken-pox (depending on the variety). Once the body is infected, it stays infected because anything hiding in the nerves is safe. This is why stress, whether mental or physical, can bring on an attack; the stress impacts the immune system, weakening it and allowing the virus to grow. The nature of a virus is to hide within our cells and make them produce more viruses. The retroviruses (like HIV) are the worst; they are diabolical in their workings.
Bacterial infections are usually more severe and can kill the body very quickly if not halted. That type of infection is called fulminant bacteriosis and is most common with meningitis and flesh-eating bacteria. Luckily we have many medications and treatments that can stop a bacterial infection very quickly. Ozone therapy can also be utilized if the infection does not go away quickly and is often effective when antibiotics are not.
The way to tell the difference between bacterial and viral infections used to be fairly simple but the lines are getting blurred lately, perhaps due to failing immune systems. Since our air, water and food has been polluted and poisoned, our bodies no longer function as they should. The basic differences are these: if the temperature is over 101 degrees Fahrenheit and/or there is a green, yellow or rust color to any discharge (mucus, pus, etc-not bile, which should be green), it is likely a bacterial infection, for which antibiotics are appropriate. If there is a low-grade fever (less than 101) and the discharge is clear, it is likely a viral infection and no medication is necessary. There are exceptions to this of course, so if in doubt, get checked out by your health professional. Keep your immune system healthy and you will have less chance of having a chance infection take hold.
©2010 Dr.Valerie Olmsted All Rights Reserved
Dr. Valerie Olmsted is an author, naturopathic physician, metaphysician, internet entrepreneur, artist, speaker, and lover of life. Traveling with the Quantum Vortex Experience, she has helped thousands of people reach the inner connection they are seeking and has contributed to the discoveries of manifestation practices via quantum physics applications. For more information of that nature, go to [http://www.BeWhoYouReallyAreCoach.com].
Contact: Dr.Valerie Olmsted
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