Diagnosis

A superinfection can cause quite different symptoms depending on both the type of infection and its location. A bacterial superinfection of the lungs, which can develop after a viral infection, often manifests itself by a renewed rise in fever and a deterioration in general condition. In addition, purulent or greenish sputum can occur when coughing.

Affected persons typically complain of a cough lasting for weeks and exhaustion without significant improvement. A superinfection of the skin often manifests itself by the appearance of yellowish crusts or blisters and also a deterioration of the general condition. Fever is also possible here.

In a bacterial superinfection of the conjunctiva, it is typical that the initially clear secretion is transformed into a purulent secretion. The eyes are usually very sticky and yellowish crusts appear on the eyelids in the morning. In principle, a superinfection can often be recognized by a worsening of the previous condition. A renewed worsening of the symptoms after an initial improvement, especially in the case of lung infections, is also highly suspect of a bacterial superinfection.

TreatmentTherapy

The treatment of a superinfection depends on the pathogen on the one hand, but also on the clinical manifestation of the infection on the other. A bacterial superinfection of the lung is treated with antibiotic therapy. Depending on the severity of the severity of the infection, inpatient treatment of pneumonia may be necessary.

In an inpatient treatment, the antibiotic is usually administered via the vein. Typically, therapy is carried out with an aminopenicillin and a betalactamase inhibitor, such as ampicillin/sulbactam. A bacterial superinfection of the conjunctiva is treated with antibiotic eye drops, such as gentamicin drops.

The antibiotic is adjusted after the exact pathogen has been determined, including a resistance test. Superinfection of the skin is treated either antibiotically or antivirally, depending on whether a bacterium or virus is the underlying cause. In case of a combined bacterial and viral infection, a double antiviral and antibiotic therapy is applied. In practice, treatment with the antibiotic cefazolin and the antiviral drug Aciclovir is often given.