The transmission of pathogens through tiny secretion droplets from the respiratory tract is called Droplet infection.
What is a droplet infection?
It can take place through the air, for example by coughing, snorting, breathing and sneezing. The best antidote to one Droplet infection is hygiene, if necessary putting on suitable protective clothing and, in times of regional flu waves, also keeping your distance from people who could be affected. The transmission of disease via droplet infection is particularly favored in full department stores, schools, cinemas or public transport.
The is defined Droplet infection as a transmission of disease through tiny droplets of secretion from the breath of those already affected. In most cases, the droplet infection occurs through the air contaminated with contagious viruses and bacteria.
Causes, transmission & history
The problem is that the transmission of a disease through a Droplet infection is not noticed at first. Therefore, before the onset of one's own disease, one becomes a carrier via droplet infection.
The droplet infection plays a major role, especially in the transmission of flu viruses and colds. However, other diseases are also known that are transmitted by droplet infection. In the case of the flu, one is considered contagious on the first day of infection and at least seven days afterwards. The flu virus can be passed on via droplet infection during this time if you do not take sick leave and consciously avoid contact with healthy people.
It is discussed whether in certain cases there is a longer risk of infection from a droplet infection. It is disputed to what extent a droplet infection could be avoided by consistently wearing protective masks. The pathogens are released by coughing, sneezing or snorting and spread as secretion drops directly through the air.
To be affected by a droplet infection, one only needs to be less than ten feet away from an affected person. Droplet infection occurs when you inhale the germ-contaminated air. We now know that many epidemics on earth have spread through droplet infection.
Examples of diseases
As examples of diseases caused by a Droplet infection In addition to the flu viruses and viruses that trigger colds, the triggers of diphtheria, chickenpox, herpes, tuberculosis, whooping cough, measles, rubella, plague, scarlet fever, the new disease SARS, Ebola or mumps may be mentioned.
In all cases the disease can be transmitted by droplet infection from the respiratory tract. Viruses, more rarely bacterial strains, are responsible for the fatal effects of the droplet infection. The viral droplet infection is particularly widespread in children’s diseases. In order to reduce the risk of a droplet infection for already weak or sick people, it is advisable not only to vaccinate with influenza.
This does not minimize the risk of a droplet infection 100 percent, but it does significantly. Bacterial droplet infection often affects streptococci, chlamydia, pneumococci, or meningococci.The latter are known to cause meningitis or meningococcal sepsis, which is also known as blood poisoning.
In the case of tuberculosis, it was already thought that the risk of a droplet infection had decreased because we were considered to have eradicated the disease. In recent times, however, there has been an increased occurrence in various mass accommodation or narrow facilities. A droplet infection occurs e.g. particularly easy for risk groups in asylum seekers and homeless shelters, among drug addicts, on public transport, airplanes or among people with weak immune systems.
A major problem is the increased occurrence of resistant and multi-resistant germs. In particularly vulnerable groups, preventive measures against droplet infection must be used systematically.
prevention
Good hygiene can only partially affect you Droplet infection protect. It is much more important to minimize contact with larger groups of people during the cold and flu season.
Immune-boosting measures and, if necessary, wearing appropriate protective masks can minimize the risks of droplet infection. There are already vaccinations against some diseases, and good early detection and treatment methods against others.
Travel to areas known for certain diseases such as Ebola, tuberculosis, plague or diphtheria should be avoided. Pandemics and epidemics occasionally arise because people did not pay enough attention to the droplet infection and did not go to the doctor in time despite initial complaints.
