How does a virus spread and enter your body? Learn about the ways viruses are transmitted and how to avoid or prevent them in this article.
Below, we'll explore the most prominent ways viruses are transmitted:
Ways of Virus Transmission
Viruses are very small germs that cause many infectious medical conditions, ranging from mild illnesses like the flu, the common cold, and warts to serious diseases like coronavirus, HIV, and Ebola.
The ways viruses are transmitted from person to person include:
Direct contact with people infected with a virus, especially through kissing and sexual intercourse.
Contact with surfaces, food, and water contaminated with viruses.
Contact with infected organisms, including pets, livestock, and insects like fleas and ticks.
Hospital-acquired infections, where healthcare providers' hands can become contaminated by touching viruses on medical equipment or surfaces. These viruses can then quickly transfer to their hands and spread to a susceptible person. If proper sterilization is not followed, viral diseases can be dangerous.
Coughing or sneezing: When an infected person coughs or sneezes, droplets can travel through the air for distances of up to six feet. These germs can then enter the eyes, nose, or mouth of another person and cause infection.
Bloodborne pathogens can enter a person through a puncture wound from a contaminated needle or sharp instrument.
Sources of Infection: Now that we know how infections are transmitted, it's also important to know their sources. A source of infection is the carrier of the virus or germ. Since infection transmission is common in healthcare settings, we will explain the sources of infection in these settings below:
Humans are one source of infection. They can be transmitted to patients, healthcare providers (doctors, nurses, etc.), visitors, and family members. It's worth noting that some people show symptoms of viral infections, while others are asymptomatic but still contagious.
Dry surfaces in patient care areas, such as bed rails, medical equipment, tables, and work surfaces.
Wet surfaces, such as faucets, sinks, and ventilation equipment.
Medical devices, such as catheters.
Groups at risk of viral infections
Some people may be more susceptible to viral infections than others. These groups include:
Patients with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, and organ transplants, are at increased risk of viral infections because these conditions often reduce the immune system's ability to fight infection.
Patients taking certain medications used to treat medical conditions, such as antibiotics, steroids, and some anticancer drugs.
Patients who have undergone urinary catheterization or surgery.
Ways to prevent viral diseases
Here are the most important ways to prevent viral diseases for yourself and others:
Get vaccinated if available, especially if you are in a high-risk group for a particular virus.
Maintain at least one meter of distance between yourself and others to reduce the risk of infection when coughing, sneezing, or talking. Wear a mask when around people who have a viral infection. Clean your hands before putting on the mask, and also before and after taking it off, and after touching it at any time. Make sure it covers your nose, mouth, and chin.
Seek immediate medical attention if you have mild symptoms of a viral infection, such as a cough, headache, and low-grade fever.
Stay home if you have a viral infection, and isolate yourself from others until you recover to avoid infecting them.