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About viruses

Definition

Viral respiratory infections are a group of illnesses caused by viruses, affecting the upper, the lower or both parts of the respiratory tract. They typically cause the following symptoms:

  • Sore throat
  • Nasal congestion
  • Sneezing
  • Tingling in the nose
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • General weakness
  • Fever
  • Muscle ache

More than 200 strains of viruses can cause respiratory infections.

Viral respiratory tract infections are typically divided into two groups:

  • upper respiratory tract infections, whose symptoms are mainly nasal congestion, sore throat and sneezing. Viral upper respiratory tract infections, such as influenza or similar diseases, may occur at any age;
  • lower respiratory tract infections, which symptoms occur in the windpipe, airways, and lungs. Symptoms: cough, chest pain, shortness of breath. Viral lower respiratory tract infections, such as acute obstructive laryngitis (croup), bronchiolitis and pneumonia, are more common among children.

Children sometimes have infections involving both the upper and lower respiratory tracts.

How do we get infected with cold viruses?

Common cold viruses are usually transmitted by airborne droplets, through direct contact with infected nasal secretions, or contaminated objects.

Air droplets (aerosol) – common cold viruses spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks, releasing small droplets that can be inhaled by other people.

Direct contact with infected nasal secretions – viruses can be transmitted through physical contact with an infected person, such as by shaking hands and then touching the face (nose, mouth or eyes).

Through contaminated items – viruses can survive on surfaces like doorknobs, tables, and phones. The possibility of infection also remains if a person touches an infected surface and then touches his or her face.

Seasonal variations

More references

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  6. Kim, SY; Chang, YJ; Cho, HM; Hwang, YW; Moon, YS (21 September 2015). „Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the common cold.“. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 9: CD006362.
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  8. Pelczar (2010). Microbiology: Application Based Approach. p. 656
  9. Michael Rajnik; Robert W Tolan (13 Sep 2013). „Rhinovirus Infection“. Medscape Reference. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  10. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 27 November 2006. Archived from the the original 6 September 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2007.
  11. Eccles, Ronald; Weber, Olaf (2009). Common cold.