Bacteria/UV Light
Cold, Flu and Viruses
What are Viruses?
Viruses such as H1N1 (swine flu), influenza, chicken pox, measles and rubella, are actually microscopic infectious agents that use pieces of genetic material called RNA to infect a host cell and replicate. Because of their genetic build, viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics and must, instead, be treated as a highly contagious disease.
Viruses cannot multiply without a host cell and usually find suitable hosts in animals and humans. A virus enters the body of the host, attaches itself to a cell, and uses the cellular systems to multiply. Once it multiplies, it attacks other cells in the host, causing immune reactions and flu-like symptoms.
In the case of the flu, for example, a virus invades your system, attacks cells, and you experience specific symptoms as part of your body's need to rid itself of the flu virus. In its attempt to expel the microbes, you may spread more virus agents into your environment.
Although antibiotics do not work against viruses, there are some vaccines that can help prevent the spread of illness such as the flu. Flu shots, however, do not cover all strains of the virus and individuals can still fall sick from other types of influenza like H1N1.
Preventing Virus Infections
In order to avoid catching a viral infection, consider taking the following basic precautions:
- Wash your hands frequently using soap, especially after contact with surfaces in public areas.
- Sanitize surfaces in your home with a cleaning solution, especially phones, counter tops and doorknobs.
- Avoid people who may show symptoms of the flu or have been around individuals with the flu
- Consider installing an air purification unit that uses ultraviolet light (UV-C) to sterilize the air and remove pathogens.
Common Cold Symptoms
While cold and flu symptoms can be very similar, it's important to know the difference between them and treat each one accordingly. Colds, for example, are sometimes caused by bacterial infections. While these can often be contagious, they can be easily treated with antibiotics.
Basic symptoms:
- Sore throat – lasts 1-2 days
- Runny nose, nasal problems, and congestion - 4th or 5th day after start of infection
- Slight to moderate fever (especially in children) - 6th or 7th day.
- Cold symptoms usually last for a week. (Colds lasting longer than a week can indicate bacterial infections and medical treatment is often necessary)
Common Flu Symptoms
Symptoms arising from flu viruses are similar between the different strains. Common seasonal influenza (flu), for example, has very similar symptoms to less common strains such as H1N1 (swine flu).
Although vaccines can help prevent against some of the more frequent types of flus, it's important to know the difference between symptoms caused by regular flu and more aggressive viruses such as H1N1.
Symptoms:
- Sore throat, fever, headache
- Muscle aches, soreness
- Congestion, and cough
- H1N1 – in addition to the above, H1N1 (swine flu) sometimes includes vomiting and diarrhea.
- Symptoms persist for two to five days but can leave the patient feeling tired and sore for a week or more.
- Young and elderly patients may develop pneumonia as a result of the flu, especially those with lung or heart problems.
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