Route of Spread of Infectious Diseases

1. Direct Contact: contact with a person or animal who has the infection, through:

–        Person to person

This is the most common way for infectious diseases to spread, when there is direct transfer of bacteria, viruses or other germs from one person to another.

–        Animal to person

Pets can carry many germs, therefore being bitten or scratched by an infected animal can make you sick, when you become infected by the germs.

–        Mother to unborn child

A pregnant woman may pass germs that cause infectious diseases to her unborn baby.

2. Indirect Contact: Many germs can linger on an inanimate object, such as a tabletop, doorknob or faucet handle. You can pick up the germs patients left behind. 

–        Insect bites

Some germs rely on insect carriers such as mosquitoes, fleas, lice or ticks to move from host to host, spreading the disease as a result.

–        Food and Water contamination
Another way disease-causing germs can infect a person, is through consumption of contaminated food and water.