How long will a viral infection last

Many people in the Cincinnati area are visiting their primary care physicians with complaints of lingering cold symptoms.

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Seth Isaacs MD , an ear, nose and throat physician with TriHealth Group Health , discusses viral illnesses and the best ways to get rid of them.

Viral Illnesses: What Are the Symptoms?

"The majority of [sinus diseases] start off as a viral infection, so not only will you get the typical nasal congestion and post-nasal drip, but you also get the fatigue, headaches and muscle aches that go along with a viral illness," Dr. Isaacs explains. 

When to Visit Your Doctor Again

If you experience symptoms for more than 10 days or so, Dr. Isaacs suggests additional care, which may mean taking another prescription.

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"If someone has had these symptoms for over 10 days, you start to worry that it becomes a bacterial sinus infection," he explains. "Typically, people will need, I would say, a 10-day course of antibiotics. I would also recommend some steroids - either taken orally, such as prednisone, or else even just some steroid nasal sprays."

Dr. Isaacs also points out that a 10-day treatment is just a start, which is why another antibiotic may be prescribed. "We have seen these viruses that have been lingering for three to four weeks, so patients have been symptomatic for that long and often they don't' respond to antibiotics right away."

Tips for Managing Symptoms

In addition to taking the proper medications, Dr. Isaacs also suggests:

  • Staying hydrated
  • Getting plenty of rest

He also says that, in some cases, using a nasal washer neti pot filled with salt water may be helpful. However, make sure you use distilled or bottled water in your nose in order to prevent the risk of infection.

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A virus is a tiny agent (germ) that lives inside living cells, or host cells. Viruses need living cells to replicate or reproduce. There are thousands of viruses, some more common than others. For example, the common cold and the flu are viruses, but so are  COVID-19, Ebola and HIV. Viral infections that may be minor in healthy individuals can be quite severe for people who have a weakened immune system. Almost any virus can lead to sepsis.

Sometimes incorrectly called blood poisoning, sepsis is the body’s life-threatening response to infection or injury. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.

Sepsis and septic shock can result from an infection anywhere in the body, such as pneumonia, influenza, or urinary tract infections. While bacterial infections are the most common cause of sepsis, viral infections can cause sepsis too. Worldwide, one-third of people who develop sepsis die. Many who do survive are left with life-changing effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain and fatigue, organ dysfunction (organs don’t work properly), and/or amputations.

Examples of viral infections

Viruses “hijack” normal, living cells in your body. They use these cells to replicate and multiply, eventually destroying the host cell – this is what makes you sick. Unlike bacterial infections that respond to antibiotics, viral infections are not so easy to treat. Many, like colds, run their course and your body heals on its own, but others, like HIV, do not.

Some of the more common viruses include:

  • COVID-19
  • Influenza (the flu)
  • HIV, which can lead to AIDS
  • Meningitis (there is also bacterial meningitis)
  • Pneumonia (there is also bacterial pneumonia)
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Herpes
  • Rotavirus
  • Chicken pox

Symptoms of viral infections

The signs and symptoms of a viral infection depend on what virus you have and how it affects your body. Here are a few examples:

Influenza:

  • Fever
  • Muscle ache
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Headache

Meningitis:

  • Stiff neck
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Rash
  • Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  • Confusion

Prevention

Viruses spread in different ways, depending on the virus. Hepatitis C, a liver disease, spreads through body fluid. On the other hand, influenza spreads by contact with virus left behind on an object, like a phone, or through droplets in the air, if someone with the flu sneezes or coughs in front of you. Not all viral infections can be prevented, but you can reduce your risk of contracting a virus in a few ways:

  • Stay up-to-date with all recommended vaccines, even adults (To learn more about vaccines, visit Sepsis Prevention: Vaccinations)
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Avoid contact with people who are ill
  • Don’t share personal items.
  • Eat a healthy diet. Malnutrition, not consuming enough nutrients for your needs, can lower your body’s ability to fight infection.

Treatment

Viral infections are usually treated by managing the symptoms. This often means using over-the-counter pain relievers to ease pain and reduce fever, rest for fatigue, etc., until the virus is gone. The viruses themselves are not easy to treat. For example, hepatitis C, treatment involves a strict medication regimen for several weeks up to a few months before the virus is cleared from your body. Other viruses don’t have a cure, but medications may speed healing if they are taken early enough after your exposure to the virus. These include medications for influenza and shingles (herpes zoster). Medications for other viruses, such as HIV, keep the virus in check, but aren’t a cure. They can prevent the virus from replicating and causing more damage.

Complications

Sometimes, people who have viral infections, such as influenza, can develop severe bacterial infections, in addition to the viral infection. For example, influenza and other respiratory viral illnesses, could lead to pneumonia.

If you suspect sepsis, call 9-1-1 or go to a hospital and tell your medical professional, “I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SEPSIS.” 

How long will a viral infection last

Would you like to share your story about sepsis or read about others who have had sepsis? Please visit Faces of Sepsis, where you will find hundreds of stories from survivors and tributes to those who died from sepsis.

Suggested Citation: Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis and Viral Infections. 2022. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/viral-infections/

Updated July 12, 2022.

What is the best treatment for viral infections?

Antiviral medications help the body fight off harmful viruses. The drugs can ease symptoms and shorten the length of a viral infection. Antivirals also lower the risk of getting or spreading viruses that cause herpes and HIV.

What are the symptoms of a viral infection?

Symptoms of viral infections.
Fever..
Muscle ache..
Cough..
Sore throat..
Headache..

What is the fastest way to get rid of a viral infection?

Take it easy. When you're sick, your body works hard to fight off that infection. It needs more energy than usual. Make rest your top priority. Stay home from work or school, and put your daily routine on hold until you feel better.

Can a viral infection go away on its own?

The good news is that viral infections usually aren't serious. Most will go away in a few days without medical treatment.