Clinical QuickieInfectious Disease
Bacterial vs Viral vs Fungal Infection
Classify the syndrome before the organism.
Start with pattern and site
Respiratory, urinary, skin, GI and bloodstream syndromes each have different likely organisms and diagnostic pathways.
Neutrophilia does not prove bacterial disease
CBC patterns can support context but are not organism-identification tests.
Treatment follows likelihood + severity
Many viral syndromes need supportive care; bacterial disease may require targeted antibiotics; fungal disease depends heavily on site, host and immune status.
Host factors shift probability
Immunosuppression, recent antibiotics, healthcare exposure, indwelling devices and travel/exposure can change the organism spectrum.
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