How do you get a cold and flu? (Cold and Flu) Let's find out exactly about this!

There are days when you wake up in the morning and feel a little uncomfortable, like your throat is sore. You may have thought, "Oh, I'm getting a cold again." No matter how careful you are, sometimes you can't even imagine how this happened, right? How do these common colds and flu-like illnesses actually enter our bodies? Let's talk about this today.

The two main ways the disease is transmitted

Simply put, colds and flu are diseases caused by viruses. There are two main ways that these viruses spread from one body to another.

1. Airborne Droplets

Imagine, what happens if someone with a cold sneezes or coughs in front of you? Tiny droplets of saliva from their mouth and nose enter the air. Although we can't see them, these droplets are filled with the virus that causes the disease. If you breathe in that air at that time, the virus enters your respiratory system directly. Very simple, right? That's why we say to stay away from someone who is sick, and cover your mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze.

2. Contact with Surfaces

This is the method we need to pay the most attention to. Imagine someone who is sick wipes their nose and then touches a doorknob with that same hand. Or it could be an office desk, a wire on the bus, a banknote, or the screen of your phone, for example.

Then, if you touch that area and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes with that dirty hand, the virus enters your body without any effort. This is more common in homes with young children. The disease can easily spread when one child puts a toy that was played with in their mouth into the mouth of another child.

Does the virus cause illness as soon as it enters the body?

Good question. It doesn't always happen that way. You can't say 100% for sure that you'll get sick just because you're exposed to the virus. It depends on a number of factors.

• Viral Load: It is important to know how much virus has entered your body. That is, how much virus is in the saliva of a sick person.
• Your Immunity: If your immune system is strong, it can fight off even small amounts of viruses that enter your body. That's why it's important to eat well, drink well, and get enough sleep.
• The condition of the person with the disease: The length of time the person has been sick also affects the severity of the illness, as there is a period when the disease is most contagious.

What is the most contagious time of year?

Although the symptoms of both colds and flu are similar, their incubation periods are slightly different. It's important to be aware of this for you and your family.

So, how do we protect ourselves from these diseases?

This is the most important part. If you follow these simple habits, you can get great relief from getting sick frequently.

• Handwashing is king: This is number one. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds whenever possible, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, and when you return home from a job. It's also a good idea to keep a hand sanitizer handy.
• Avoid touching your face: We all have a habit of touching our nose, mouth, and eyes when we are alone. Try to break this habit. It is one of the easiest ways for the virus to enter our body without us realizing it.
• If you are sick, be responsible: If you have a cold, stay home as much as possible. If you must go out, wear a mask. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you sneeze or cough. It's a great way to help others.
• Build a strong immune system: Eat nutritious foods (fruits, vegetables). Drink enough water daily. Get enough sleep every day. These things will strengthen your body's natural defenses, the immune system.
• See a doctor: If your cold doesn't go away in two or three days, or if you have symptoms like high fever, difficulty breathing, or chest pain, never ignore it. Be sure to see your doctor for advice.

Cold, flu, virus, infectious disease, infection, cold and flu