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Infections caused by bacteria are called bacterial infections. These infections could be primary when bacteria are supposed to be the only organism affecting the organ. However, they may be the result of a "secondary infection" (meaning that the virus initiated the process, but bacteria followed) when the: 1
- Symptoms persist longer than the expected 10-14 days a virus tends to last.
- Fever is higher than one might typically expect from a virus.
- Fever gets worse a few days into the illness rather than improving. 1
Sinusitis, tonsillitis, otitis media, pneumonias, impetigo and skin infections, pyelonephritis and urinary tract infections, meningitis and encephalitis are common examples of bacterial infections that may affect a toddler.
Tests that are frequently performed to help us with the diagnosis of a bacterial infection include a complete blood count and cultures of fluid that we are concerned about. This may include a blood culture, urine culture, or spinal culture (which requires a spinal tap).1
A bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotic drugs that destroy only the bacterium that has caused the infection. However, we do not treat infections with antibiotics unless we have good evidence that bacteria are the cause. An important reason for this is that overuse of antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistance, and then the antibiotics won’t work when we need them to.2
Children who are around other children will have more frequent infections. But remember that most children these days (thanks to vaccines that prevent most serious secondary bacterial infections) will have viruses that take supportive care only.1
Dr. Bilal Dhayni
Pediatrician
