Mechanism of Transmission of Infection Contact and Household

Contact-household transmission of infection is the transmission of the causative agent of an infectious disease from a sick person to a healthy person through close household contact. This is one of the main ways many infections spread.

Contact-household infections include infections transmitted by airborne droplets, airborne dust, fecal-oral and contact routes.

The airborne route is realized when coughing, sneezing, talking - the infection is transmitted with droplets of saliva or sputum. This is how influenza, measles, rubella, diphtheria, etc. spread.

In the airborne dust route, the pathogen is found in dried dust particles, is carried through the air and penetrates the respiratory tract. Tuberculosis spreads this way.

The fecal-oral mechanism is associated with the entry of the pathogen with the feces of a patient into the mouth of a healthy person. This is how dysentery, viral hepatitis A, and polio are transmitted.

During contact transmission, the pathogen enters the skin or mucous membranes of a healthy person directly from the patient or through various objects, things, and utensils. This method spreads helminthiases and fungal diseases.

Prevention of household contact infections includes compliance with personal hygiene rules, disinfection of premises and household items, and isolation of patients. Vaccination also helps prevent a number of dangerous infections.