Russian physician Oleg Abakumov, a specialist in lung diseases, announced that there is no concept of "catching a cold," as it is impossible for a person to become ill solely due to cold weather. He revealed how to distinguish between the symptoms of viral and bacterial infections. He stated, "Of course, cold weather can weaken the body's immune system, making it unable to resist pathogenic infections. However, a cold alone is not sufficient; there must be a virus or bacteria present, as they are the true causes of diseases. Therefore, it is essential to understand the differences in their symptoms to prescribe the correct treatment for the patient."
According to him, among the distinguishing features of bacterial infections are fever, purulent discharge from the nose (and on the tonsils and in phlegm), and the absence of positive dynamics for 5-7 days. Additionally, these infections are characterized by a second wave of the illness: the patient may initially feel better, but then symptoms reappear with increased severity. He said, "On the other hand, the symptoms of viral infections differ: runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, dry cough, and body temperature that does not rise above 38 degrees Celsius, indicating that the immune system is fighting back, and usually, treatment lasts 3-5 days before returning to normal life."
The specialist noted that influenza, due to its severe course, is considered a separate illness, although it falls under respiratory inflammation diseases. Influenza can be diagnosed if a person becomes ill and their temperature rapidly rises to 39-40 degrees Celsius; they feel chills and body aches. Symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting, nasal congestion, and sore throat.
According to him, bacterial and viral infections can be diagnosed, for example, through a general blood test, where bacterial diseases are characterized by an increase in moderate cells and white blood cells, while lymphocytes decrease. Conversely, if there is a virus in the body, the lymphocyte count increases, while the white blood cells and moderate cells decrease.
