Why do colds/flu lead to chest infections?

Influenza is a virus and chest infections are germs, so why do the two usually happen together?

Unlike most of the recent questions I wasn't asking about swine flu. Weakening of the immune system making you more vulnerable to other infections was what I suspected.

i've never had flu, but with colds i always have sinus problems never had a chest infection. i suppose with a weakened immune system and your body trying to fight the virus, the weakest part of your body gets affected the most. with my mother in law its always her throat.

Mucus gets produced by the body to hopefully trap the bugs which are sneezed out...its all rather cool the way the body was designed. Runny noses are the same thing too, and high body temps (fevers) are the bodies antibodies fighting off the bugs.

Because they are respiratory viruses/bacteria.

I'm not entirely sure, but I think that viruses and bacteria are often the cause of infections. Even in open wounds they create the infections.

you can have a viral or bacterial infection anywhere in your body, having a cold lowers your resistance to other infections and sometimes will allow a bacterial infection to take hold but not always

If you don't catch them in time the bacteria will spread and weaken other areas of your body making it more prone to infection.

Catching a cold lowers your resistance.

u have swine flu ='[

Hey all of you peoples, :)

So the Swine Flu is now in Oswego... Which is definately now what we all would like to hear! The first casualty was on monday, and within the next week they predict that the number of people currently ill due to this flu will tripple in number. I dont know about all of you, but i am worried. let me rephrase that... extremely horrified and worried beyond belief. The swine flu is a strange epidemic.

all flights stoped going to and from saudi arabia once thay got word that the Swine Flu (H1M1) was spreading like wildfire.


Here are the only known symptoms that they could relate to the swine flue:
(http://news.spreadit.org/swine-flu-sympt...
Swine Flu Symptoms - Swine Flu has hit more than 900 people in Mexico killling 16 earlier this week.Swine Flu better known as Swine influenza is caused by type A influenza virus and gives pigs the flu that is later transferred to humans.

The symptoms of swine flu in people are fever, lethargy, lack of appetite ,coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
That鈥檚 all we have for now on Swine Flu Symptoms.

Here are some more symptoms of the regular flue that they think might be related to the swine flue:
(http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/tc/inf...
Influenza - Symptoms
The symptoms of influenza (flu) appear suddenly and often include:

Fever of 100F to 104F, which can reach 106F when symptoms first develop. Fever is usually continuous, but it may come and go. Fever may be lower in older adults than in children and younger adults. When fever is high, other symptoms usually are more severe.
Body aches and muscle pain (often severe), commonly in the back, arms, or legs.
Headache.
Pain when you move your eyes.
Fatigue, a general feeling of sickness (malaise), and loss of appetite.
A dry cough, runny nose, and dry or sore throat. You may not notice these during the first few days of the illness when other symptoms are more severe. As your fever goes away, these symptoms may become more evident.
Influenza usually does not cause symptoms in the stomach or intestines, such as vomiting and diarrhea.



HEre are some more symptoms and questions and answers about the SWINE FLUE EPIDEMIC

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-gu...



Can I still eat pork?
Yes. You can't get swine flu by eating pork, bacon, or other foods that come from pigs.

How does swine flu spread? Is it airborne?
The new swine flu virus apparently spreads just like regular flu. You could pick up germs directly from an infected person, or by touching an object they recently touched, and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose, delivering their germs for your own infection. That's why you should make washing your hands a habit, even when you're not ill. Infected people can start spreading flu germs up to a day before symptoms start, and for up to seven days after getting sick, according to the CDC.

The swine flu virus can become airborne if you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth, sending germs into the air.

The U.S. residents infected with swine flu virus had no direct contact with pigs. The CDC says it's likely that the infections represent widely separated cycles of human-to-human infections.

How is swine flu treated?
The new swine flu virus is sensitive to the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. The CDC recommends those drugs to prevent or treat swine flu; the drugs are most effective when taken within 48 hours of the start of flu symptoms. But not everyone needs those drugs; many of the first people in the U.S. with lab-confirmed swine flu recovered without treatment. The Department of Homeland Security has released 25% of its stockpile of Tamiflu and Relenza to states. Health officials have asked people not to hoard Tamiflu or Relenza.

Is there a vaccine against the new swine flu virus?
No. But the CDC and the World Health Organization are already taking the first steps toward making such a vaccine. That's a lengthy process -- it takes months.

I had a flu vaccine this season. Am I protected against swine flu?
No. This season's flu vaccine wasn't made with the new swine flu virus in mind; no one saw this virus coming ahead of time.

If you were vaccinated against flu last fall or winter, that vaccination will go a long way toward protecting you against certain human flu virus strains. But the new swine flu virus is a whole other problem.

How can I prevent swine flu infection?
The CDC recommends taking these steps:

Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
Avoid close contact with sick people.
Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
so yeah, you can tell that i am freaked out about this... my brothers currently have really low immune systems and are extra susseptible to the swine flue... so yeah that leaves me really scared! i hope tha