How do viruses spread? 6 tips to protect yourself

Viruses are everywhere.

They are more common than any other biological matter.

An estimated 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 viruses exist on the earth at any one time, laid end-to-end they’d stretch for 100 million light-years; numbers that would put astrophysics to shame.

They are the most advanced biological entities at a molecular level, carrying the technology to invade and hijack cells. Most are harmless, and some are deadly.

But how do we get infected, how do they spread, and how can we avoid catching them?

What is a virus?

Viruses are microscopic parasites, typically much smaller than bacteria, and cannot live and reproduce outside of a host.

Viruses have a reputation for being the sole cause of contagion.

Widespread events bolster this reputation. The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the 2009 H1N1/swine flu pandemic, and the current COVID-19 pandemic all contribute to this reputation.

Viruses are not alive, but they are biologically active

Without living cells and organisms, viruses would be nothing. They need living cells to survive and reproduce. They can’t function without a host.

So, whilst away from a cell, the virus protects itself with what’s known as a virion.

Protected by this coating, the virus can exist and stay active without a host cell for a limited time.

Meaning the virus’s nanomachinery can stay assembled with the capability of infecting a living organism for specific periods, and this can range from seconds to days depending on the virus type and conditions.

Viruses attack cells by penetrating them and using their DNA to replicate themselves. Whether or not a virus can attach to a cell depends on the compatibility of proteins on the virion and the cells it attempts to attack.

New virions leave the cell, destroying it in the process as they go on to infect neighbouring cells and repeat the process.

The structure of a virus

A genome is the long molecule structure at the centre of the viral particle. DNA or RNA contains all the necessary information needed by the viral particle to replace itself once it infiltrates a cell.

Protein molecules encase the genome for its protection. This case is known as a capsid.

Covid-19 and a selection of other viruses are encased in an envelope made up of fatty organic molecules called lipids.

It’s why Covid-19 is referred to as an enveloped virus. These fatty envelopes are easily destroyed by simple detergents, such as hand soap, hence the advice to wash hands regularly with soap and water.

Once a host is identified, a virus attacks and goes all out specifically to find it.

If it doesn’t see a cell as its prey, then it won’t attack, which is why some viruses don’t harm or affect humans.

Coronaviruses are typical amongst bats, thought to be the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19. But, many other species of animal and plants have a range of their own viral threats. Covid-19 is a member of the coronaviridae family of viruses, otherwise known as coronaviruses.

The appearance of the coronavirus under a microscope resembles a crown, with tiny proteins sticking out of a circular form. Hence the name corona (crown).

Mutations of these viruses are thought to be the reason for jumps across species. They currently pose a threat to our battle with Covid-19 as the worldwide vaccination programme is put under strain.

What makes a virus deadly?

The virulence of a virus will affect how much damage it does to the host it infects. It also refers to how well the virus can get around our natural or vaccinated defences.

A virus aims to stay active and replicate, so being stopped by an immune system is game over for a virus should it happen on a large scale.

The death of hosts is also a significant problem for a virus that ultimately just wants to ‘survive’. A dead host means the end of that particular road for the virus.

Viruses often mutate to evade our body’s natural defences and to become less deadly. The aim is to infect as many hosts as possible without killing them, to reproduce the most.

How do viruses spread?

Viruses spread from person to person.

When someone coughs or sneezes, droplets fly out and land on another nearby person’s face.

Also, viruses spread on the surface, for example, tables, doorknobs, chairs, anywhere a hand has touched. Droplets, aerosols, shedded skin and even sweat can carry the virus into the air, onto these surfaces and between people at close contact.

And viruses can live there even 24 hours.

When you consider all those places where you go every day such as grocery store, public transport, gym — there are many surfaces AND a lot of people, so there are several ways to get a virus.

Getting infected with a virus effectively turns your body into a storage tank for the virus as it’s busy replicating inside your cells. Every additional cough, sneeze and discharge of any bodily fluids will see many viral particles released.

It’s how COVID-19 has spread so rapidly, and tiny droplets discharged from an infected person are spread as an airborne pathogen, unknowingly infecting others.

Also, as the virus lives on surfaces for up to 24 hours, anybody that touches that surface and then does not wash their hands will infect themselves.

All this knowledge allows us to understand how best to protect ourselves from viruses.

6 tips to protect yourself and others from viruses

Protecting ourselves from viruses has been at the forefront of medicine for decades, even centuries.

Whilst vaccines and UV technology are proven methods in fighting against viruses and their spread. There are several tips that generally we can all do to combat the spread of viruses.

1. Wash your hands

Handwashing with soaps and sanitisers kills germs from hands and prevents infections because:

2. Social distancing

Having no close contact with others is the best way to diminish the spread of viruses and diseases.

Social distancing means keeping a safe space between yourself and other people not from your household.

To practice social distancing, stay at least 2 metres from others who do not form part of your household.

3. Masks

By wearing a mask, you protect others plus yourself. Masks work best when everyone wears one, and people must wear them correctly. Masks must completely cover the nose and mouth and fit nicely without any gaps on the sides of a face.

However, for many, wearing a mask may not be feasible. People with respiratory problems or those who need to wear them for long periods like while working can use other means of protection such as wearable air purifiers.

4. Respiray

Respiray’s wearable UV air purifier disinfects 99% of the air you breathe in with invisible UV-C light.

It’s an alternative to face masks, and it sits comfortably on your shoulders.

You can attach the face shield to protect against coughs, sneezes, and other respiratory droplets for additional protection.

Other noticeable benefits are being able to breathe freely without wearing a face mask, being able to convey facial expressions to others (critical for work, school and business environments) and less impact on the environment as it is reusable.

5. Eating healthily

A healthy diet is vital for the body.

It protects you by boosting your immune system, so in the event you catch a virus, your body reacts quicker against the virus.

A healthy diet comprises a combination of several foods. These include:

• Cereals (wheat, barley, rye, maise or rice) or starchy foods (potato, yam, taro or cassava).
• Legumes (lentils and beans).
• Fruit and vegetables.
• Foods from animal sources (meat, fish, eggs and milk).

6. Active lifestyle

Getting enough physical activity is tough when instructed to remain at home. However, it’s possible to be physically active whilst social distancing.

Even going for a walk and getting fresh air can contribute to better mental health levels should you feel fed up from being in endless lockdowns.

Physical activity improves energy levels and our mood, reducing anxiety and blood pressure.

Even walks and getting fresh air can contribute to better mental health levels should you feel fed up from being in endless lockdowns.

Protecting yourself against viruses

We will catch a virus; there is no hiding from them.

They are impossible to avoid.

Our best strategy is to limit our exposure to them and ensure that our body and surroundings are virus-free as much as we can.

Logically, keeping a safe distance from others in public and wearing a face mask that covers the mouth and nose. Other options like our own wearable air purifier and medical-grade masks will protect you from unwanted airborne viruses.

Washing hands and sanitising surfaces helps to reduce the risk of picking up viral material from fomites or infected objects and surfaces.

Originally published at https://respiray.com on May 5, 2021.