How can you tell if you have a bacterial lung infection, versus a viral infection?

I had the same type of mucous being coughed up when I had

bilateral pneumonia. This does not mean that you necessarily have pneumonia, but blood-streaked phlegm should always be taken seriously. When you call the doctor,

tell the person on the phone about the blood - otherwise, they

may delay your appointment for a long time. If you can't get in with a doctor in a timely manner, I would go to the ER. They can't deny treatment to anyone. Yes, you will have a larger bill to contend with, but they don't make you pay it up front. If you don't have a fever, then chances are its nothing serious - but still you should have it checked.

bacterial infections are usually longer lasting and often more serious, needing antibiotics. viral infections are often self limiting, tough it out, it goes away. however, to actually tell the dif one needs to get a culture of the stuff in your lungs. there are ways to do that, some of them not all that uncomfortable.

it's possible you have a viral or bacterial pneumonia, acute bronchitis, or to get real serious, active TB. all guesses mind you since there is little else to go on, like I don't have any medical history on you, or exposure history to go on. no xray, and cant even see the evidence in front of me.

the ER suggestion is good since a fairly quick work up will be done, to include xray, physical exam, and probably some blood work. a culture would take two to three days, and aTB culture result would take much longer. the college clinic is the best place to start if your college is large enough to have one. a jack in the box clinic is also good, they can do a preliminary assessment, very reasonable, and provide prescriptions. dont let the jack in the box idea think they are less than doctoring.

lastly, all the symptoms, though sounding scary, can go away on their own, but that doesnt always mean the underlying cause goes away. for instance, many people contract TB, have some symptoms, they go away, but the TB tubercle is in remission in the lung waiting for years for the right environment to occur, then cause trouble again. there are other germs like that besides TB.

you could wait a couple days, during that time if any or some of the following occur : the blood increases, fever above 100 develops, you feel listless without enough energy to get through the day, chills and sweats develop, mucus gets a foul odor to it, or breathing gets difficult, go to the ER.

last note: call the health dept, tell them you think you may have been TB, they might ask you in for testing, give it to you for free, and maybe provide some other intervention. that's just a way to go if you feel brave enough.

See a doctor as soon as possible. Coughing up blood is never a good sign, and neither is fluid in the lungs. That's a definite sign of pneumonia or bronchitis. Does your school not have a free clinic on campus where you can see a doctor? If not try looking for a free clinic in the area.

I'd recommend you see a doctor asap. Your lungs are not a thing to fool with. I learned this the hard way. I got pneumonia afew years back. Put off going to the doctor for afew weeks. Fatal mistake, now almost 4 years later, I still have breathing problems, always a shortness of breath. I'm only 39 and unable to work now because of it. I was hospitalized for 2 weeks. I can't recall exactly what type they said I had, I never coughed up blood though, that sounds serious.

http://www.medicinenet.com/pneumonia/article.htm

Sounds like if your cough is worsening you need antibiotics.

Is there an infirmary on campus? That is your best bet.

Most doctors will understand your $ issue - if you make payments or put it on a credit card. (MOM/DAD??)

The blood as scary as it is could just be your throat being swollen so the mucous mixes in - and it appears bloodier.

Then again it's not a positive sign.

Don't put it off another day, the sooner you get help the better.

Rest

lots of clear fluids

steam in the shower

motrin

CALL AN MD.

it definitely doesn't look viral to me now... ul need a chest x-ray and other lab work-ups too & most probably you'll be taking antibiotics... see a doctor soon