Flu is a disease that attacks the health of the respiratory system. Usually, people affected by this disease will experience various symptoms. Many people think that the flu is the same as the common cold. The two symptoms are similar but they come from different viruses. The flu can have more severe symptoms and can strike suddenly, while the common cold is usually mild and comes on gradually. Flu can be transmitted to other people very easily, especially in the first three to four days after the sufferer is infected. Even some people can transmit the disease before any symptoms appear.
Causes of the Flu
A person can catch the flu when he inhales the droplets of saliva in the air that come from a person when he sneezes or coughs. Touching the mouth or nose after handling objects contaminated by the saliva of someone who has this virus can also cause flu transmission. And it can make you have the same diseases that can interfere with the health of your respiratory system.
How to spread the flu
Flu transmission through a handshake
You can catch the flu if you touch an infected person, such as through a handshake. Usually, people who are infected with this virus will sneeze and clean their noses using their hands so that the virus will stick to their hands and will transfer to other people when they shake hands.
Hugs are also a way of transmitting the flu that needs to be watched out for
The flu is usually passed from person to person. This can happen when someone sneezes, coughs and talks because these activities can cause fluids from the person’s body to fly in the air. This flying liquid is contaminated with viruses, so if it gets into the nose or mouth then people who breathe it can get the disease as well. The transmission can become easier when you hug someone because the distance between you and the person who is contaminated with the virus will be closer and of course, it will become easier to catch the virus.
Touching Surfaces or Objects That Have Been Contaminated With Virus
The flu virus can stick to the surface of objects such as cell phones, desks, and even banknotes. That’s why you can catch a cold very easily if you touch an object that has the flu virus on it. According to the Mayo Clinic, this virus can survive outside the human body for several hours depending on the type of surface on which it is located. On metal, plastic, or glass surfaces, the virus can last longer. Temperature and humidity levels also greatly affect the life span of this virus. If you touch an object that has been contaminated with this virus, you can catch the flu. The risk is even higher if you touch your nose or mouth without washing your hands.