6 Common Illnesses and How to Avoid Spreading Them

Fall is here, and that means respiratory illnesses are on the rise, even here in sunny, warm Hawaii. Knowing what to do to avoid spreading illness to others helps keep respiratory infections in check — and it might even help you avoid infection in the first place, too.

Providing island-wide care, our expert team at Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy helps patients of all ages get the care they need to relieve the symptoms of acute illness, prevent complications, and avoid infecting others. Here, learn about six common illnesses and what you can do to avoid spreading them to others.

1. The common cold

Every year, Americans suffer from about a billion colds — roughly two to four colds per adult and as many as 10 colds per child. Colds are caused by respiratory viruses, most commonly rhinoviruses (literally, nose viruses). 

Like most respiratory viruses, cold viruses can be transmitted via the air through droplets released when you cough, sneeze, or breathe. You can also pick up the virus by touching a contaminated surface. 

Frequent handwashing, especially after coughing or sneezing, is vital. Cough or sneeze into a tissue, not your bare hands, then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue handy, the CDC recommends coughing or sneezing into your elbow or shoulder rather than your hand.

2. Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis involves inflammation of the bronchi, or the hollow tubes that connect your esophagus to your lungs. It’s also one of the most common outpatient illnesses, affecting about 5% of Americans every year. While chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition, acute bronchitis is typically associated with an infection, usually caused by a virus. 

People with bronchitis typically have a persistent cough that produces mucus. You may also be short of breath. As with colds, you can prevent the spread of your infection by covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze and washing your hands frequently. 

3. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. While it can happen on its own, it often follows other respiratory infections, like the flu or a cold. People with pneumonia have a fever, difficulty breathing, coughing, and feelings of fatigue. 

If you have pneumonia, it’s important to isolate yourself from others to avoid spreading the infection. Using tissues and disposing of them immediately, washing your hands frequently, and using disinfectant on surfaces can help prevent the spread of disease. 

If you don’t have pneumonia but you’d like to do all you can to prevent it, getting vaccinated can play an important role in keeping you healthy. 

4. Influenza (the flu)

The flu is caused by the influenza virus. Viral populations tend to increase during the fall and winter, waning as warm weather approaches. Flu causes respiratory symptoms in addition to fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue.

Because the flu involves respiratory symptoms, you can prevent the spread of illness by following the same practices as recommended for the common cold. You can reduce your risk of getting the flu by having a flu vaccine every year. 

5. COVID-19

While COVID-19 cases have declined since the pandemic, the infection is still around — and still fairly common. COVID-19 infections tend to follow a cyclical pattern like the flu. 

In addition to practicing the same general guidelines as described in the section on the common cold, you can prevent spreading COVID-19 by wearing masks in crowded places and practicing social distancing. You should also stay home if you have an active infection. 

You can reduce your infection risk by keeping your COVID-19 immunizations up to date.

6. Strep throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A streptococcus. Strep throat causes significant throat pain, visible redness or white patches, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. 

It’s also very easy to spread strep throat to other people, so if you’ve been diagnosed with this infection, you should attempt to self-isolate, wash your hands frequently, and use the guidelines described in the section on the common cold. Disinfect surfaces you touch regularly to avoid spreading the infection via contact.

Strep throat can develop serious — even life-threatening — complications. If you have strep throat, follow care instructions completely, including taking all of your antibiotics, even if you start to feel better. 

Seek medical care as soon as possible

Respiratory illnesses can be highly contagious, and they can lead to more serious problems if they’re not managed properly. If you or your child has concerning respiratory symptoms, book an appointment online or over the phone with Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy in Kihei, Kahului, and Lahaina, Hawaii, today.