Inhalation
The influenza virus, or the flu virus, is easily spread from person to person. The flu is highly contagious and passes from one person to the other through direct contact. One way it can spread is by inhalation. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, droplets of mucous from the respiratory tract fly through the air. If someone else inhales the droplets, he can become infected with the flu virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control, someone can also obtain the flu virus by the droplets landing in the eyes and nose. In some cases, someone can develop symptoms of the flu if they are in a close environment with the person, such as an elevator, bathroom or small classroom. Someone can pick up infected respiratory droplets from a contaminated Kleenex or bathroom area where the infected person just was.
Touch
The influenza virus can be picked up by touching contaminated objects. This occurs when the infected person may not properly hold a hand over the mouth while sneezing or the person may wipe their hands on linens or other objects before washing them off with hand soap or disinfectant. Anything that the infected person may have touched or come in contact with such as door handles, utensils, furniture, pens, sinks, toilet handles, grocery store carts, clothing or cooked food can transmit germs and droplets containing the influenza virus. Even if an infected person comes up and shakes hands or hugs someone, the virus can be transmitted.
Prevention
There are three types of the flu and various strains that stem from the three. One of the most recognized strains is the H1N1 flu that comes from type A. There are A, B and C flu types, with A and B being the most severe of the three. The best way to prevent getting sick from the influenza virus is to avoid contamination. This can be difficult because many people who get the virus are the most contagious in the first 24 to 48 hours after contracting the illness. One way to keep the virus at bay may be to use extra precaution during the cold and flu season which according to the CDC is most prevalent between the months of October and January---although the flu can occur any time of the year. Precautions may include establishing proper hand washing techniques throughout the day. Wash hands after touching public door handles or items in which the virus droplets may be. Carry a hand sanitizer so that germs can be destroyed if you happen to come into contact with a contaminated or questionable surface. If you work in a public environment, such as a school or physicians office, wipe down all surfaces such as sinks, toilets and hand rails that frequently come in contact with people who may have the flu.
