A virus is an infectious agent that infects all living organisms like plants and animals. Man is not spared by the virus as it can also infect the body and would result to sickness and disease. It would be important for all of us to know how virus can infect each one of us and be aware of its symptoms. Knowing about such symptoms would help us prevent further medical complications.

Some general symptoms of a virus are:

• Your illness has lasted for more than a week.

• Your cough does not get any better.

• Continuous high fever with body aches and pain.

• There are sinus pains, ear infections, muscle pains and toothache.

• Loss of weight.

The Cold Virus has symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, cough and sore throat. It is not commonly accompanied by high fever and body aches.

The Flu Virus has symptoms beginning with a fever, headache and sore throat. Other symptoms like dry cough, muscle pains, fatigue and general body weakness may set in as the virus continues to infect the whole body system. Coughing may be experienced for many weeks and this is where some other infections caused by this virus may come in such as bronchitis, sinuses and pneumonia. These symptoms may come one after the other slowly but with dangerous effects to the body.

The H1N1 Swine Flu Virus has the following symptoms:

• It would take about one to three days after exposure to the virus that the person would feel the effects.

• The person would feel general body aches and experience fatigue at the same time.

• Fever is experienced accompanied by other symptoms that may develop such as headaches, coughing, sore throat and nausea. There are also symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.

• You must look out for the children infected with this virus as they usually develop ear infections. Those with asthma may develop pneumonia. This swine flu virus may infect the immune system causing the body to weaken and affect other ailments which the sick person may have like diabetes, heart condition and high blood pressure.

If you feel that you have similar symptoms to any of the viruses mentioned, you must have yourself diagnosed by a doctor. The doctor can give you a complete medical examination to properly diagnose what virus you may have in you. Learn more about the virus and educate yourself about its nature so you would know how to deal with it properly. Let your family and friends know that you have a virus and talking about it would help you cope up as part of the treatment. They can be your support group if ever you are infected with a more severe kind of virus.

The H1N1 vaccine is being made available to combat the swine flu virus. There are other ways to keep you away from the virus by maintaining a healthy life style and avoiding others who may have contracted the virus. It is really up to you to take care of yourself and taking all the necessary precautions thereafter.

Jonathan Pitts

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