Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] I am trying to determine if a doctor s visit is warranted or not (viral vs. bacterial). About a week and a half ago I began developing symptoms of a sinus infection (I have a severely deviated septum and these are a frequent occurrence) and these symptoms peaked on Wednesday, along with malaise, headache, and exhaustion from inability to sleep, but no fever. My nose became extraordinarily runny as well (mixture of green and clear). Today, Thursday, I felt better, but still had a running nose and congestion (though not as bad) though now I am coughing and feel congestion in my upper chest. (Like the last time I had an upper respiratory track infection.) Every time I lay down I cough like a crazy person, and cough stuff up. When I m sitting or standing symptoms are relieved. Can it be determined if this is viral or bacterial?
[|AI|]  Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. In my opinion you should at least get done chest x-ray to rule out lung infection (pneumonia). If x-ray is normal than it must be upper respiratory tract infection(URI) only. Viral infection are more common in URI. Blood test can differentiate viral and bacterial infection. If total count is not much raised with lymphocytes predominant then viral is the cause. If neutrophil leukocytosis than bacterial OS the cause. Symptoms like fever, malaise, weakness seen in viral while high grade fever with chills seen in bacterial.