Being contagious means being able to pass diseases on to other people. It is important to know if you are infectious when you are not well, to avoid making others sick. Diseases of the upper respiratory system, such as colds and flu, are caused by viruses that are transmitted fairly easily between individuals. Many bacterial infections can also be infectious. If you find yourself contagious, take precautionary measures to avoid spreading the disease.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Recognizing the Symptoms of Contagious Diseases
Step 1. Measure the temperature
Normal body temperature ranges from 36.5 to 37.5 ° C. Any higher temperature indicates a fever and possibly a contagious infection. Fever associated with colds is not as common as that associated with the flu, but in both cases you are still contagious.
- Fever is the body's way of fighting infection. You can measure the temperature orally, rectally, in the ear or in the armpit, although each method takes slightly different data. The fever associated with the flu is between 37.8 and 38.9 ° C, while in children it can reach higher values. In most cases, the fever caused by the flu lasts at least 3 or 4 days.
- Body temperature is regulated by a brain structure called the hypothalamus. When there is an ongoing infection, the hypothalamus deliberately raises the body's temperature to rid it of viruses or bacteria that have entered the body.
Step 2. Examine mucus and nasal secretions
If they are dense and yellow / green in appearance, they are a clear sign of some upper respiratory infection accompanied by inflammation. Again, you can most likely pass on the disease.
- Children with thick white, yellow, or green eye discharge are usually just as contagious - this is often conjunctivitis.
- Specific respiratory tract diseases that involve the production of thick, yellowing mucus and nasal discharge are the common cold, sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses), epiglottitis (inflammation of the epiglottis), laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx) and bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi).
- The immune system increases mucus production in the nose in an attempt to expel the disease. This causes the sensation of a stuffy nose and indicates that you are potentially contagious.
- If the thick, yellow mucus does not subside within a week or so, you should see your doctor, who will test to determine the cause of your symptoms, define a treatment, and can tell you if the disease is contagious.
Step 3. Check your skin for breakouts
Certain types of skin rashes are often the sign of a contagious disease; when they affect large areas of the body they can also be a symptom of an allergy or a viral disease. When they are of viral origin, the outbreaks are the manifestation of a contagious disease, such as chicken pox or measles.
- There are two ways viral rashes can spread. The symmetrical ones initially manifest themselves in the extremities, on both sides of the body and spread towards the center of the body. The central ones instead start from the thoracic and back area and gradually extend towards the arms and legs.
- Viral rashes follow a precise pattern of spread, towards the center of the body or towards the extremities, as just described. Allergic rashes can occur anywhere on the body and do not follow a specific pattern when they expand.
- Some viral-like rashes tend to occur in certain areas, such as viruses called Coxsackie. When this type of virus attacks the hands, feet and mouth, it causes a rash around these areas of the body - sometimes even around the legs.
Step 4. Watch out for diarrhea accompanied by fever
Diarrhea can also indicate the presence of a contagious disease, especially if you also have vomiting and a few lines of fever. These symptoms could indicate gastroenteritis, often referred to as the intestinal flu, or a rotavirus or coxsackievirus infection, which are just as contagious.
- There are two types of diarrhea: a more severe and a less severe one. The milder one has symptoms such as abdominal swelling or cramps, liquid stools, a feeling of urgent need to evacuate, nausea and vomiting. In this case the patient, on average, has to go to the bathroom at least three times a day.
- The most severe includes all the symptoms of the mild form, but there may also be traces of blood, mucus, or undigested food in the stool, as well as fever and weight loss.
Step 5. Check for pain in your forehead, cheeks and around your nose
A normal headache generally does not pose a risk of contagion. However, specific head pains (when you experience pain in the face and forehead) could be a sign of some contagious disease.
The headache that accompanies the flu and sometimes the cold occurs mainly in the forehead, cheeks and bridge of the nose; the swelling and mucus that builds up in the sinuses can cause discomfort, while the headache can be intense and worsen when you lean forward
Step 6. Check if the sore throat is accompanied by rhinorrhea
When you have a contagious disease, such as the flu or a cold, it is quite common that in addition to a sore throat, there is also this symptom.
- Sometimes a sore throat is caused by postnasal drip, which occurs when fluids from the sinuses flow down the back of the throat, causing redness and irritation. the throat becomes sore, sore and sore.
- If, in addition to sore throat and runny nose, you also have wheezing, itching and watery eyes, it is more likely that it is an allergy than a contagious virus. Again, throat discomfort comes from post nasal drip, but the throat is dry and itchy.
Step 7. Pay attention to the feeling of sleepiness and loss of appetite
Contagious diseases can make you feel very tired or sleepy and cause you to lose your appetite. Your body tries to conserve energy to fight the infection by causing you to sleep more and eat less.
Part 2 of 4: Connecting the Symptoms
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of the flu
These include fever, headache, general malaise and muscle aches, feelings of extreme exhaustion and sometimes stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, cough and chest pain. Symptoms usually arise suddenly and worsen rapidly, but are more severe than a normal cold. in some cases, serious complications may develop.
A person who has the flu is contagious already from the day before the onset of symptoms and can continue to spread the disease even in the following 5-7 days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe that a person is contagious as long as the temperature is within normal limits for 24 to 48 hours and without the help of medications. If other symptoms remain, such as coughing, runny nose, and sneezing, you are probably still contagious
Step 2. Identify cold symptoms
The most common are sore throats, stuffy or runny nose, congestion, sneezing, moderate chest pain, fatigue, and general malaise. The cold is contagious 1 to 2 days before symptoms appear and continues to be contagious for the next 2 to 3 days when symptoms are at their peak.
More than 200 cold viruses that affect humans have been identified. This type of upper respiratory tract disease causes discomfort and discomfort, but usually does not lead to serious complications. Symptoms can last up to 10 days, but the period in which the risk of infection is greatest coincides with the first 2-3 days, when the symptoms are worst
Step 3. Look out for multiple symptoms
When they occur in groups, such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting accompanied by muscle aches and headaches, they can indicate gastroenteritis, also called intestinal flu, or food poisoning. Both have similar symptoms and it can be difficult to understand the cause of your discomfort. However, gastroenteritis is contagious, while intoxication is not.
Step 4. Assess if you have come into contact with sick people
Most contagious diseases typically strike 1 to 2 days before symptoms develop. It may be easier to name your discomfort if you know the pathology to which those close to you have been exposed, even if they were not ill at the time of contact.
Also consider the time of year. Many contagious diseases spread at certain times of the year. For example, the flu season in Europe runs from November to March, while other diseases may be endemic to certain regions or countries. Additionally, the presence of some seasonal allergens varies greatly depending on the geographic area in which you live
Step 5. Exclude seasonal allergies
Some people have severe upper respiratory tract disorders that are caused by seasonal allergies triggered by airborne agents. These are not contagious diseases and the symptoms can be very similar to those of a cold or flu.
- Symptoms of allergy include weakness, stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat and cough. Although they can cause discomfort, they are still not contagious symptoms. Your doctor can help you by having allergy tests to determine the cause of your abnormal reactions and prescribing appropriate treatment for your situation.
- At first, it is difficult to tell the difference between cold or flu symptoms and those of seasonal allergies. But after a day or two the symptoms change. Based on the speed at which they change and which or how many other symptoms occur, you will be able to understand if it is an infectious disease, such as the flu or cold, or an allergic reaction to seasonal elements in the air, which it is not contagious.
- Allergies are caused by excessive activity of the immune system. Some substances such as pollen, dust, animal hair and some foods activate the immune system which recognizes them as dangerous substances for the body.
- When this occurs, the body releases histamines to try to expel these intruding substances. Histamines cause symptoms similar to respiratory infections, such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes, sore throat, wheezing and headache.
Part 3 of 4: Preventing the Spread of Contagion
Step 1. Get vaccinated every year
Researchers develop vaccines that aim to prevent possible infections caused by major strains of influenza viruses. The vaccine changes from year to year, so the previous one is not effective protection against the new flu. However, this remains the best way to control the spread of the flu.
Keep in mind that the vaccine protects you from the flu, not the other contagious diseases you may be exposing yourself to
Step 2. Wash your hands
Diseases of the upper respiratory system, such as colds and flu, are transmitted from one person to another and a fairly common way of spreading them is direct contact with a person infected with the virus.
Step 3. Use soap and water
Wet your hands with hot water and put the soap in the palm of one of the two. Create foam by scrubbing it for at least 15 seconds. Make sure you cover the entire surface of your hands, even the spaces between your fingers. Finally rinse them off and use paper towels to dry and turn off the tap with paper or a handkerchief. Then throw the paper in the trash.
Step 4. Wash your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Place a small amount in the palm of a dry hand. Rub both hands covering the entire surface until the gel dries completely. Usually 15 or 20 seconds is enough.
Step 5. Avoid contact with sick people
The flu virus can spread from a sick person up to 1.8m away. Coughing and sneezing form small droplets that travel through the air and that can reach the hands, mouth, nose or be directly inhaled into the lungs.
Step 6. Pay attention to the surfaces you touch
Doorknobs, desk, pens, or other objects can carry viruses that spread among people. It is quite normal to bring your hands to your mouth, eyes or nose after touching some object potentially contaminated by the virus; in doing so, however, you introduce the pathogen into the body. The flu virus can survive on surfaces for 2 to 8 hours.
Step 7. Protect yourself and other people from exposure to the virus
If you get sick, avoid contact with others until your symptoms improve or your doctor confirms that you are no longer contagious.
In the United States alone, for example, it has been found that between 5 and 20% of the population falls ill with the flu every year. More than 200,000 patients are hospitalized every year for complications and hundreds of people die every year. Particularly the elderly, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems run a greater risk of developing complications. Protecting yourself from exposure and avoiding passing the disease to others can save lives
Step 8. Stay at home, away from other people
Try to remain isolated in a room at home, separated from other family members (especially children) to avoid spreading the disease.
Step 9. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
Blowing your nose or coughing into a handkerchief or even the crook of your elbow is definitely much better than spreading infected droplets into the air.
Step 10. Avoid sharing items
Make sure you wash your sheets, towels, dishes and cutlery thoroughly before they are used by other people.
Part 4 of 4: Paying Attention to Other Contagious Diseases
Step 1. Know that there are other contagious diseases
Although the flu and the common cold are the most common, there are other communicable diseases among people, some of which are also serious and should not be overlooked. Your doctor and other health professionals are able to give you all the information about the disease that has affected you and its symptoms, so that you know if you are contagious.
Step 2. Check if any people close to you have a severe infection
Some forms of hepatitis are contagious, as are some types of meningitis. These conditions are serious and should not be neglected. If you know someone who has been diagnosed with an infectious disease, talk to your doctor to find out if you are at risk of contagion.
Step 3. Learn about contagious childhood diseases
Most children are vaccinated in their early years to prevent them from contracting serious diseases, but infectious diseases can still be a problem at times. Check with your doctor or pediatrician for any signs of infection or illness you find.
Advice
- In most workplaces, schools and kindergartens there are guidelines to follow in the case of contagious diseases.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend staying home, away from other people, for at least 24 hours after the fever has subsided without the help of medication.
- Healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes, post guidelines and directions for visitors to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
- People who want to visit a sick person, whether at home or in health facilities, should follow the precautionary instructions or schedule a visit when the contagion period is over.
- Contagious diseases develop from an incubation state and end with the disappearance of symptoms. Most of these conditions have an initial period in which the disease is contagious, but people do not yet know they are sick.
- If you are unsure about your condition, you should act as if it is contagious and stay away from other people as much as possible until you are cured.
- Check with your doctor to find out if the disease is infectious or not. It can often be difficult to tell the difference between a cold, flu and allergy or between gastroenteritis and food poisoning.
