Did you know what causes an airborne disease? They are caused by pathogenic microbes that are released by the infected persons via coughing, sneezing, laughing, and coming in close contact with the infected person. The released microbes remain suspended in the air on dust particles, water, and respiratory droplets. Talk to a specialist for infectious diseases if you have any concerns. 

Airborne infections and diseases are common because they infect you by breathing near an infected person. It can easily spread by the infected particles or microbes released by the infected persons. It can happen due to bacteria, fungi, or viruses that are present in the air. The common symptoms of airborne diseases are a common cold, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, etc. but some infections and viruses are dangerous and can give serious symptoms and can be fatal.  

But the good news is, most of them are treatable. And you can prevent airborne infections by taking some precautions.  

Transmission 

As its name implies, airborne diseases spread through the air. In the air, there are bacteria or viruses present in the form of microbes and small respiratory and water droplets. These droplets, if someone inhales them through the air, they get that disease. And he/she also spreads it further by sneezing, coughing, laughing, or making close contact. These microbes can travel along air currents or can cling to surfaces increasing the transmission.  

Symptoms  

While symptoms can vary according to infections; all of them cause some similar symptoms that help you to identify them, such as: 

• Coughing and in severe cases persistent coughing.  
• Sneezing and running nose.  
• Sore throat 
• Fever and in severe cases extremely high fever  
• Swollen glands 
• Headaches 
• Body pain 
• Fatigue or tiredness 
• Loss of appetite  
• Congestion 
• Inflammation especially on your nose, throat, and lungs 
• Rash 

If you notice any of two or more symptoms, you should visit the doctor for a diagnosis.  

Prevention 

You can prevent airborne infections if you follow these tips such as:  

• Do not make close contact with people who have active symptoms of any disease.  
• Do not go out when you’re sick, instead stay at home and rest. 
• Don’t let people come near you who have a substantial risk of developing the disease (like kids and seniors).  
• If you are at a place where there are lots of people around you, wear a face mask to prevent inhaling germs while breathing.  
• Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Use your elbow or a tissue to do that. It cuts down the possibility of transmitting germs.  
• Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, especially after sneezing or coughing.  
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.  
• Take every vaccine that the government issues to improve your health and help to prevent these diseases (For example, flu, covid, measles, TB, and whooping cough vaccines).

Want to know more? Visit our team of Specialists for infectious diseases at Doral Health & Wellness on 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212 or call us at 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://doralhw.org or contact us at info@doralhw.org if you have any queries.