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Understanding the causes, persistence, and transmission of colds and flu is important, because understanding these issues helps prevent infection properly.
1. What causes colds and flu?
Colds and flu are the most confused respiratory illnesses. Many people think that they are the same, because their symptoms are quite similar. They are, in fact, two different diseases, with different causes and possibly different consequences.
A cold is a respiratory disease caused by a virus, the most common of which are viruses belonging to the Rhinovirus and Enterovirus groups. Cold symptoms are usually mild, the disease can completely go away on its own and leave no consequences.
Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus. Some flu-like symptoms can be confusing, but in reality, flu symptoms are more severe than colds, and flu can cause many complications, which are serious. In particular, influenza is potentially fatal in high-risk patients.
2. How are colds and flu spread?
Cảm lạnh và cảm cúm đều do virus gây ra
Colds and flu have different causes, but they are both respiratory illnesses caused by viruses. The way colds and flu are transmitted are similar:
In the droplets released into the environment by an infected person when sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose, there are many viruses, and this is the main route for the virus to spread. can spread, because for example, a single sneeze can produce up to 40000 droplets. Uninfected people can become infected if their hands are contaminated with the virus (after touching contaminated surfaces. keep viruses, such as toys, doorknobs, countertops, etc.) touching your nose, eyes or mouth. The length of time viruses can survive on different surfaces varies, depending on the nature of the surface as well as other environmental factors, but they can persist for up to 2 days. If there is contact with a cold or flu agent, the chance of getting sick is not 100%, because it depends on a lot of different factors, such as an individual's resistance, the number of infectious agents. body, the virulence of the agent,... For colds, the transmissibility will be strongest during the first 2 to 3 days of the illness. In most cases, after the first week or so the cold will no longer be contagious. For influenza , because the virulence of the agent is much stronger than the virulence of the agent that causes cold , the time when the flu can start to spread is from 1 day before the onset of symptoms and symptoms, and persist for 5 to 7 days after illness. For that reason, the flu is very contagious. Vinmec International General Hospital with a system of modern facilities, medical equipment and a team of experts and doctors with many years of experience in medical examination and treatment, patients can rest assured to visit. and hospital treatment.
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Article reference source: webmd.com
