Infectious diseases spread in many ways, but you can minimize your risk of infection.
From your sniffling seatmate on the bus to the raw chicken on your cutting board, everyday life is full of potential infectious disease hazards. With germs so common and seemingly everywhere, the question is this: Just how do you protect yourself from germs that cause infectious disease?
Knowing how germs spread can help. Find out how infectious disease is transmitted, and more importantly, what you can do to minimize your risk of infection.
Infectious diseases spread through the air
Droplet transmission
When you cough or sneeze, you expel droplets into the air around you. When you're sick with a cold or the flu — or any number of other illnesses — these droplets contain the germ that caused your illness. Spread of infectious disease in this manner is called droplet spread or droplet transmission.
Droplets travel only about three feet because they're usually too large to stay suspended in the air for a long time. However, if a droplet from an infected person comes in contact with your eyes, nose or mouth, you may soon experience symptoms of the illness. Crowded, indoor environments may promote the chances of droplet transmission — which may explain the increase in respiratory infections in the winter months.
Particle transmission
Some disease-causing germs travel through the air in particles considerably smaller than droplets. These tiny particles remain suspended in the air for extended periods of time and can travel in air currents. If you breathe in an airborne virus, bacterium or other germ, you may become infected and show signs and symptoms of the disease. Colds caused by viruses, influenza and tuberculosis are a few types of infectious diseases usually spread through the air, in both particle and droplet forms.
Prevent the spread of infectious diseases
Decrease your risk of infecting yourself or others:
- Wash your hands often. This is especially important before and after preparing food, before eating and after using the toilet.
- Get vaccinated. Immunization can drastically reduce your chances of contracting many diseases. Make sure to keep your recommended vaccinations, as well as your children's, up-to-date.
- Use antibiotics sensibly. Only take antibiotics when necessary. And if they're prescribed, take them exactly as directed — don't stop taking them early because your symptoms have gone away.
- Stay at home if you have signs and symptoms of an infection. Don't go to work if you are vomiting, have diarrhea or are running a fever. Don't send your child to school if he or she has these signs and symptoms, either.
- Be smart about food preparation. Keep counters and other kitchen surfaces clean when preparing meals. In addition, promptly refrigerate leftovers — don't let cooked foods remain at room temperature for extended periods of time.
- Pay special attention to cleaning the 'hot zones' in your home. These include the kitchen and bathroom — two rooms that can have high concentrations of bacteria and other infectious agents.
- Practice safe sex. Use condoms if you or your partner has a history of sexually transmitted diseases or high-risk behavior — or abstain altogether.
- Don't share personal items. Use your own toothbrush, comb and razor blade. Avoid sharing drinking glasses or dining utensils.
- Travel wisely. Don't fly when you're ill. With so many people confined to a small area, you may infect other passengers on the plane. And your trip won't be comfortable, either. Depending on where your travels take you, talk to your doctor about any special immunizations you may need.
- Keep your pets healthy. Bring your pet to a veterinarian for regular care and vaccinations. Keep your pet's living area clean.
With a little common sense and the proper precautions, you can avoid infectious diseases and keep from spreading them.
Last Updated: 07/20/2007
