Viruses
Viruses are incredibly small, much smaller than bacteria. On its own, a virus is not a complete living entity; it needs to infect a host cell of a living thing to reproduce. Viruses can lie dormant on dry surfaces for a relatively long time before being picked up by a new host. Flu viruses are generally quite fragile but some strains have been shown to survive on surfaces like plastic light switches or worktops for between 24 and 48 hours. Viruses can cause a range of infections and are probably responsible for at least half of all stomach upsets.
| Types of virus | ||
|---|---|---|
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Influenza |
Influenza or 'flu is a virus, which infects the respiratory tract (the airway). Read more about Influenza |
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Rhinovirus |
Lives in the respiratory tract (the airway) of infected people. Read more about Rhinovirus |
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Norovirus |
A virus, also known as the winter vomiting bug. Read more about Norovirus |
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Rotavirus |
The most common stomach bug amongst children. Read more about Rotavirus |
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RSV |
The most common cause of severe respiratory illness in children under 2 years. Read more about Respiratory Syncytial Virus |
