Healthy Environments Page 12

Transmission of Germs

1) Airborne Germs

Airborne or respiratory germs are spread via droplets through:

EXAMPLES: TB, Colds, Chicken Pox

2) Direct Contact Germs

Direct contact germs are spread through directly touching an infected area or body fluid such as:

EXAMPLES: Conjunctivitis (pink eye), impetigo, lice, chicken pox

3) Fecal-Oral Route Germs

Fecal-oral route germs are transferred from stool to host via:

EXAMPLES : Hand, foot and mouth disease, Hepatitis A, Rotavirus

4) Blood Contact Transmission

Blood contact transmission can occur when individual comes in contact with infected blood or infected body fluids.

A needle-stick injury or a cut with a piece of contaminated glass
Sexual contact
Infected women may expose their newborn children to BBP's through amniotic fluid, through blood during the birthing process, and (less likely) through breast milk.
Mucous membrane exposure - this means that the infected blood enters your body through contact with a mucous membrane found in your eye, nose or mouth.

EXAMPLES: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS