Contents:
- Medical Video: How is the flu virus spread?
- Flu symptoms can be contagious even though the person does not realize he has the flu
- How does the flu virus spread?
- How do I know that I have a cold?
- How to prevent from getting the flu?
Medical Video: How is the flu virus spread?
It was not a strange sight to see one office colleague who just had the flu yesterday, then spread the same disease to two other people the next day. Then it was until finally the whole office became sick with the flu. Yes. Although often underestimated, flu symptoms are very easily transmitted so ideally you need to rest at home until you are completely cured. However, how long does it take for flu viruses to spread from one person to another? Consider the following review.
Flu symptoms can be contagious even though the person does not realize he has the flu
The flu virus is most susceptible to spread during the incubation phase, the period between the first exposure to the appearance of flu symptoms. The incubation phase generally occurs around 24 hours to seven days (one week) after your first contact with the virus. This means that you can become infected and experience symptoms at any time in the susceptible incubation period.
Adults can transmit the flu virus to others within five or ten days after they feel symptoms. So for example, you start experiencing flu symptoms on the third day of the incubation period, you can pass it on to people around the same day until 10 days later.
During this time, the virus will be most contagious in 24 hours to three days after symptoms appear. This means that your flu symptoms will be most easily transmitted within 4-6 days during the incubation period. Afterwards, the rate of transmission of the flu will decrease even though the risk of transmission will remain the same. While for healthy children, it will be infected up to two weeks later.
Moreover, people who have weakened immune systems and get flu can spread influenza viruses for weeks or even months after they recover from the disease.
That is because flu symptoms can spread before the infected person even feels the symptoms or realizes that he has fallen ill. This is why flu can take many casualties every year.
How does the flu virus spread?
Influenza viruses spread through droplets of saliva that spurt when you sneeze, cough, or just talk. The droplets of saliva can accelerate into the air up to 30 centimeters, and eventually inhaled by people around.
Viruses can also be transmitted through touch, such as handshake. The infected person will continue to sneeze and clean the nose or close his nose when sneezing with his hands. Of course the virus will stick to his hand and stick to the move on every object he touches.
How do I know that I have a cold?
Flu symptoms generally do not occur gradually. Often, people will experience sudden symptoms even though before their body condition was fine. The following common cold symptoms:
- Runny nose accompanied by itching
- Keep sneezing
- Painful body
- The body feels weak
- Cough
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
Flu symptoms do not have special treatment. Enough with over-the-counter flu drugs at the nearest pharmacy or drug store. But if your symptoms continue to get worse and accompanied by breathing difficulties, chest pain, and a fever that doesn't go down, you should immediately see a doctor.
How to prevent from getting the flu?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevetion (CDC), it is quite difficult to avoid the spread of the flu virus. The reason is, even though people with flu are on treatment, it does not mean that the symptoms will stop infectious.
This is why flu vaccines are very important for you to get. If you have been vaccinated, the chance to catch the flu from people around you will be lower.
Another way is to wash your hands frequently with soap until clean, or use a hand sanitizer. Maintaining personal hygiene is a good way to prevent transmission of disease. Also, minimize contact with people who are sick and take vitamin C supplements.
