It may be impossible to distinguish between viral and bacterial causes of sore throat.

They worked on their idea that there was a bacterial cause of peptic ulcer and stomach cancer.

However, some infections remained, many of them horrendous, but for which no bacterial cause could be found.

Vaccines are available to prevent certain bacterial causes of meningitis.

Campylobacter is the most common bacterial cause of diarrhoeal illness.

Many childhood diseases have bacterial or viral causes and include a rash of some type.

Kurlan says that he understands why the idea of a bacterial cause for disturbing behavior is attractive to parents.

It is the most common bacterial cause of cases of pharyngitis (15-30%).

It is hard to differentiate a viral and a bacterial cause of a sore throat based on symptoms alone.

Thus often a throat swab is done to rule out a bacterial cause.