How do you tell if a cold is bacterial or viral?

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Answers:
99.9% are viral. So chance are pretty good you do not need antibiotics!

Other Answers:
kiss someone and see if they get it. if they do its viral. or bacterial.

colds are viral

colds caused by infuenza virus. means. viral

Green mucus usually equals viral.not green-not viral..

Usually by the color of the flem you cough up. Yellow is bacterial, green is usually virus related. Only thing that helps against a virus is Tamiflu. For a bacterial infection any good antibiotic, such as a Z-pac (Azithromycin) will help to do the trick!

If you have a fever, it is most likely viral.

What is known as 'common cold' is always viral. Common viruses that cause it are rhinoviruses, influenza, parainfluenza, etc. There r more than 200 species of viruses, which can cause cold, and they constantly keep on mutating (meaning the viral stuctures that the body can recognize get altered) , so no effective vaccine or antiviral against them has been produced up till now. And neither is our natural immunity fully sufficient in warding off future infections. These viruses can cause pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx), and then on result in bacterial superinfection, i.e., superimposed infection by bacteria- strep throat, tosilitis, otitis media (ear infection). To avoid this try gargling by salted warm water, avoid milk products and cold and/ or oily food. As such these throat infections are harmless, but if repetetive and particularly, when in childhood, can result in rheumatic fever/heart disease. Take care.

colds are viral, anything bacterial that you get, you need an antibiotic.

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How do you tell if a cold is bacterial or viral?

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