Answer:
There are two types of contact transmission: direct and indirect. Direct contact transmission occurs when there is physical contact between an infected person and a susceptible person. Indirect contact transmission occurs when there is no direct human-to-human contact.
Explanation:
Direct contact transmission occurs when there is physical contact between an infected person
and a susceptible person.
Indirect contact transmission occurs when there is no direct human-to-human contact. Contact
occurs from a reservoir to contaminated surfaces or objects, or to vectors such as mosquitoes,
flies, mites, fleas, ticks, rodents or dogs.
How do infections spread?
Direct contact infections spread when disease-causing microorganisms pass from the infected
person to the healthy person via direct physical contact with blood or body fluids. Examples of
direct contact are touching, kissing, sexual contact, contact with oral secretions, or contact with
body lesions.
Indirect contact infections spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs, sending
infectious droplets into the air. If healthy people inhale the infectious droplets, or if the
contaminated droplets land directly in their eyes, nose or mouth, they risk becoming ill.
Droplets generally travel between three and six feet and land on surfaces or objects including
tables, doorknobs and telephones. Healthy people touch the contaminated objects with their
hands, and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
What illnesses spread this way?
Many illnesses spread through contact transmission. Examples are chicken pox, common cold,
conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), Hepatitis A and B, herpes simplex (cold sores), influenza, measles,
mononucleosis, Fifth disease, pertussis, adeno/rhino viruses, Neisseria meningitidis and
mycoplasma pneumoniae.
How can one prevent disease transmission?
Delaware’s Division of Public Health (DPH) recommends frequent and thorough hand washing
as the best method to prevent disease transmission. DPH also recommends regular disinfection
of frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, handles, handrails, restroom surfaces,
medical instruments, computer keyboards, phones, office supplies and children's toys.
Using barriers such as gloves, masks or condoms can help avoid the spread of germs. Many
infections can be prevented by keeping healthy with attention to good personal hygiene.
