ARVI – the most common disease on the planet, also known as the common cold. The unpleasant symptoms of this disease are familiar to every person. Stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, fever and general weakness – all this unsettles and puts to bed for several days. And if you still go to work, school or college with such a disease, you can not only worsen your condition, but also infect others. After all, SARS – a disease of a viral nature, which is transmitted by airborne droplets. Therefore, it is no coincidence that many are interested in how long to avoid contact with SARS patients in order not to catch the virus. This important issue is the subject of the article of the Internet edition estet-portal.com.
How does a person become infected from a patient with SARS
Pathogenic microorganisms feel great in the air, especially on dust particles and the smallest droplets of sputum that a patient with SARS exudes when breathing, sneezing, and even when talking. And when a healthy person communicates with him, inhaling a mixture of viruses and bacteria, the risk of infection increases significantly.
A person is not always infected if his immunity is resistant to various respiratory infections.
It is also possible to catch the virus through common household items used by a sick person. It can be door handles, handrails in public transport, a hand towel and much more. But getting infected by just touching surfaces is almost impossible. Infection usually occurs if a person himself brings it to the mucous membranes, touching his nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands.
From the moment of infection to complete recovery: what happens during this period
When there are too many viruses in the air, the immune system is not able to cope with them. As a result, the person becomes ill. But the symptoms of the disease do not make themselves felt immediately, but somewhere on the 2-3rd day after contact with a patient with SARS.
The incubation period, i.e. the period of time from the entry of the virus into the body to the first symptoms, averages from 1 to 3 days.
The disease begins acutely, with a runny nose, sore throat and fever up to 38. On the 3rd-4th day, a cough may appear. At this time, serious complications are possible in the form of bronchitis, sinusitis or otitis media.
When the infection recedes and all unpleasant manifestations subside, the person is on the mend. This usually happens 10-14 days after infection. But this gap can vary from person to person. It all depends on immunity, the state of health and the course of the disease itself.
How many days a patient with ARVI is dangerous for others
Many believe that a person begins to infect others as soon as he has the first signs of a cold. But doctors have found that SARS patients are dangerous to other people even before the first signs of this disease appear, that is, 24 hours before.
An increased risk of infection occurs during the period of the first symptoms and high fever. The degree of contagiousness is gradually fading away.
High fever and all its accompanying symptoms usually last 3-5 days. During this time and for another 2 days, a person is contagious to others. In other words, the total danger period is about 6-8 days. And only on condition that there are no serious complications.
In the event that a person has caught rhinoviruses, one should stay away from him for more than a week. The same applies to cases with adenoviruses. Only here it is possible to catch the disease even after complete recovery, since this virus is quite "survivable". This often happens if a person forgot to ventilate the room and do a wet cleaning.
Prevention measures: what to do to avoid catching the virus
In order not to get infected from a patient with ARVI, resort to the following preventive measures:
• Wear a protective gauze bandage during the SARS epidemic.
• Do not communicate with people who are already sick and with those who just recovered yesterday. They are carriers of the virus.
• Isolate the sick person in a separate room.
• As often as possible, carry out wet cleaning and ventilate the room in which the patient is located.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after being in a public place.
• Do not touch your face with dirty hands.
• Eat foods that increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood: pomegranate, beef, carrots, broccoli. This substance will not allow the infection to infiltrate the body.
• Dress for the weather and try not to get too cold.
Now you know how many days you should isolate yourself from a patient with SARS. And preventive measures will help you keep your health safe and sound.
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