Cairo First Education

How does a virus spread from person to person?

Viruses must move from one person to another but they cannot walk, run or otherwise move on their own so they have to wait until someone helps them move. They do this by staying in fluids like the mucous in your nose or mouth until they come in contact with another person.

If you have a virus and sneeze or cough on another person, they could get sick. This is because the virus is waiting in your mouth and nose and moves when you sneeze. If you sneeze or cough on a counter top or door handle, the virus could also come out and wait there until someone picks it up without knowing. Because of this, governments are currently advising people to practice “social distancing” or staying away from people in public.

To do this put your hands straight out to your sides. If you can touch another person (other than your family), you are too close to them. Like the picture below: