What is a cold caused by bacteria?
A cold, also known as a flu-like infection, is one of the most common illnesses that affects many children and adults several times a year. A cold is an acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, i.e. an infection of the throat and nasal mucosa. The majority of colds are caused by viruses, while a smaller proportion of flu-like infections are caused by bacterial infections. When a cold is caused by bacteria, the affected persons or their mucous membranes are colonized by bacteria that cause illness. The annoying bacteria multiply in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat and lead to symptoms typical of the cold.
Difference to a cold caused by viruses
Both bacteria and viruses are possible triggers for colds. There are differences between the pathogens, the severity of the cold and the treatment. First, bacteria are about one hundred times larger than viruses.
Viruses are tiny and have a very simple structure; they have no cell wall and need human body cells to multiply. Bacteria, on the other hand, unlike viruses, are living creatures, some even need oxygen to survive, others need light or chemicals such as sulfur. Viruses make us ill by destroying our body cells during reproduction, while bacteria cause discomfort through toxic metabolic processes.
Typically, a cold caused by bacteria is accompanied by fever and no significant improvement of symptoms during the course of the day. Pain can be present in an affected part of the body, such as the ear, and the infection usually lasts five to fourteen days. The symptoms of a cold caused by viruses often show up with an elevated temperature between 37 – 38° Celsius, aching limbs, a general feeling of discomfort and a slow improvement of the symptoms, even if untreated.
A viral cold often lasts three to ten days. While a cold caused by viruses is treated symptomatically, for example with nasal spray and painkillers, flu-like infections caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria and usually lead to a quick relief of the symptoms.
- The viral cold
- Cold viruses
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