Those diseases which are transmitted through the air are called airborne diseases. The viruses and bacteria are transferred through tiny respiratory droplets. These droplets are released into the air when someone infected sneezes, coughs, talks, laugh, etc. These infectious droplets can travel in the air currents, cling to certain surfaces for a period of time, or linger in the air, which is then inhaled by some person eventually. This makes airborne diseases easily transmittable and difficult to prevent.
Airborne diseases have the capability to travel a distance of more than 6 feet and remain infectious in the air and surfaces for minutes to hours. So, not only personal hygiene is necessary, but your surrounding should also be hygienic. To reduce the risk of airborne diseases inside your home, you can hire proper home sanitization services in Chennai. There are many severe and life-threatening diseases caused by airborne viruses and bacteria. Common airborne diseases are:
1. Coronavirus
The worst pandemic the world has ever seen, COVID-19 or coronavirus has killed more than millions and is still counting. It was first discovered in 2019 and generally, though it is not considered to be purely airborne, there are some situations where the virus acts like it is airborne.
The coronavirus is spread through the respiratory that is somewhat larger than the usual droplets of airborne diseases. Nevertheless, the virus lingers in the air and the surface for quite some time to get caught by its next victim.
Symptoms:
· Fever
· Dry cough
· Shortness of breath
· Sore throat
· Tiredness
· Headache
· Loss of taste and smell
2. Influenza or Flu
The Flu or Influenza virus is so common that many of us have experienced it during some time of our lives. It spreads easily and is most contagious during the first 3–5 five days of the infection. Health adults can transmit this disease within 5–7 days with symptoms showing only after a day of being infected.
Children or people with weaker immune systems can pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Some people can even spread this virus without showing any symptoms, which makes the flu further dangerous.
Symptoms:
· Fever
· Body aches and pains
· Headache
· Consistent dry cough
· Sore throat
· Stuffy or runny nose
· Vomiting or diarrhoea in children
3. Measles
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases that affect 90% of the people who are close to an infected person. The measles virus lives in the mucus of the throat and nose, and is spread through the person coughing or sneezing. The virus can linger in the air and on surfaces for about 2 hours.
Once the virus is caught, you will be covered in measles rashes from head to toe, for about a week. You can transmit measles to others four days before and four days after the measles rash appears.
Symptoms:
· Cough
· Fever
· Skin rash
· Sore throat
· White spots inside mouth
4. Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis or TB is a bacteria airborne disease of lungs and throat. It is not spread easily to long distances but those who are close to a patient can catch the bacteria very easily. When a TB infected person laughs, talks, or coughs, the bacteria are transferred into the air.
There are cases where a person infected with TB bacteria doesn’t show any symptoms for years, due to their stronger immune system. Mainly the disease is transferred to the close ones, so it is best to avail professional sanitization services in Chennai to safeguard the family members from the infection.
Symptoms:
· A very bad cough lasting 3 weeks or more
· Blood during coughing
· Chest pain
· Fatigue
· Chills
· Fever
5. Chickenpox
Chickenpox is caused by a virus named varicella-zoster virus. It is contagious for 1–2 days i.e. if you catch this virus, you could spread it for a day or two till you get the rashes. It can take up to 21 days for the disease to appear after you have been infected. Most people get chickenpox once in a lifetime, if you get it the 2nd time, you will get the painful skin condition called shingles.
Symptoms:
· Headache
· Fever
· Loss of appetite
Phases of rashes:
· Pink or red bumps all over the body
· These bumps become blisters filled with fluid that leaks and then breaks in a day or two
· These broken blisters form crusts and scabs that begins to heal for several days