title: Is it bacterial or viral? Laboratory differentiation.
abstract: To differentiate viral, chlamydial, and mycoplasmal infections from bacterial disease in office and in emergency room practice, a combination of epidemiologic and clinical features usually will suggest one or a few microorganisms. Following that, laboratory diagnosis can be more targeted. Definition of the specific etiology will enable the proper management choice of antibiotics, antivirals, or symptomatic therapy.
authors.affiliation: University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Overall
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D005334:Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D008587:Meningitis, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D014777:Virus Diseases