Risk Factors
Certain lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors can increase your risk of having a cold or flu. These factors make it easier for influenza viruses to spread and cause infections. Some of the common influenza risk factors include;
Environmental Risk Factors
Cold and flu viruses spread through things like coughing, wiping your nose, sneezing, and touching objects or other people. As a consequence, certain environments can make it easier for flu viruses to spread from person to person and cause infection. These include:
- Crowded spaces – If an infected person coughs or sneezes, the flu viruses can travel up to 6 feet away. Certain places where a lot of people come into close contacts with each other – such as schools, universities, train stations, or nursing facilities – increases the risk of coming into contact and catching flu viruses, particularly during the winter.
- Shared surfaces – Flu viruses will stay on the surfaces for hours, making shared artifacts like handrails and doorknobs real estate for the pathogens trying to find their next host.
- Sanitary conditions – When an infected person wipes or blows his nose, the viruses get into his hand or tissue and can be transmitted from there to other objects or people. Spending time in areas where surfaces are not regularly disinfected or where you can’t wash your hands will increase the risk of being contaminated.