Diagnosing bacterial infections typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation and laboratory tests. Common diagnostic methods include: - Culture and Sensitivity Testing: Growing bacteria from a sample (e.g., blood, urine) to identify the pathogen and determine its antibiotic susceptibility. - Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): Detects bacterial DNA or RNA. - Serology: Measures antibodies or antigens in the blood. - Imaging: X-rays or CT scans to identify the extent of an infection.
