Viruses are tiny infectious agents. They are the constituents of genetic material like RNA or DNA that is bounded in the coat of protein. Are you wondering whether viral infections are contagious? Viruses occupy cells in the body and utilize constituents of the cells to assist them to multiply. Due to this, it destroys and damages infected cells. Any health condition or illness caused due to viruses is referred to as a viral disease.

Virus is not always contagious

Remember, all the viral diseases are not dangerous. It means all do not spread through person to person. However, most of them spread. Herpes, HIV, the common cold and the flu are the best examples of viral infections contagious. Another way where viral infection spreads is through the bit of virally infected insects.

Read More About : The Most Common Viral Infections Around

Respiratory viral diseases- symptoms, and examples

They are contagious and most affect the lower or upper portions of the respiratory tract. Some of the common symptoms of the respiratory viral disease are body aches, fever, sneezing or coughing, and stuffy or running nose.

Some of the instances of respiratory diseases are:

• SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)
• Parainfluenza virus infection
• Adenovirus infection
• Respiratory syncytial virus infection
• Common cold
• Flu

Transmission

It is spread by droplets produced through sneezing or coughing. If a person with viral infection sneezes or coughs close by and when you breathe in the droplets, there are chances for you to develop the disease.

The virus can also spread via contaminated objects like personal items, tabletops, and doorknobs. When you touch any of these objects that are already contaminated by a sick person and touch your eyes or nose, there are chances for you to develop the disease.

Treatment

They can heal on their own. However, OTC or over the counter medications like pain relievers, cough suppressants, nasal decongestants helps in reducing the symptoms. Moreover, antiviral drugs- Tamiflu is prescribed to a person who is in the starting stage of the flu.

Prevention

One of the best ways to limit respiratory viral conditions is by practicing good personal hygiene. Cover your mouth while sneezing or coughing, wash your hands frequently and restrict your interactions with individuals who have respiratory condition symptoms.

Gastrointestinal viral diseases- symptoms, and examples

It directly affects the digestive tract. It is caused due to contagious disease and results in gastroenteritis. It is also referred to as stomach flu. Some of the common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Some of the examples include astrovirus infection, some adenovirus infection, rotavirus infection and norovirus infection.

Transmission

These viruses are found in the stool through bowel movements. When water or food that is contaminated by feces, it has chances of spread of the virus to others. The person can get infected with the virus when sharing personal objects or utensils with someone with this virus.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for this condition. It mostly resolves within one or two days on its own. It is recommended to drink sufficient fluids to replace the loss from vomiting or diarrhea.

Prevention

It can be prevented by washing hands frequently mostly after using the washroom. Do share personal items and things with any person. Wipe the contaminated surfaces whenever you discover.

Neurologic viral diseases are prevented with vaccination. Rabies, polio, viral meningitis, and viral encephalitis are examples of neurologic viral disease. Apart from these, there are several viral diseases like hemorrhagic viral diseases, cutaneous viral diseases, hepatic viral diseases, exanthematous viral diseases, etc.

Some like the stomach flu or common cold are minor. It will vanish within one or two days. Some are serious. Viral diseases do not retort to antibiotics. The treatment is mostly concentrated on improving the immune system and managing symptoms with hydration and plenty of rest.