 [ Symptoms ] i am a single mother who has lost her job and am in the process of starting up a new online business  my children and i do not qualify for medicaid in the state of texas and must pay for all medical expenses or go without what are my options my son cannot have his medication nexium which is 250 for a one month is supply how will obamacare help me if at all [ Disease ] in general you should consult your doctor if you think you have a bacterial or viral infection exceptions include the common cold which is usually self limiting and not life threatening in some cases it is difficult to determine the origin of an infection because many ailments    including pneumonia meningitis and diarrhea    can be caused by either bacteria or viruses but your doctor usually can pinpoint the cause by listening to your medical history and conducting a physical exam if necessary he or she also can order a blood or urine test to confirm a diagnosis or a culture test of tissue to identify bacterial or viral growth occasionally a biopsy of affected tissue may be required