Communicable Diseases: Pathogens, Transmission Routes, and Prevention Strategies
Definition
Communicable (infectious) diseases spread person-to-person, plant-to-plant, or animal-to-person via pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites.
Transmission Routes
- Airborne: Inhaled respiratory droplets/aerosols (influenza, measles, TB).
- Contact: Direct contact with infected person, fluids, contaminated surfaces (cold, flu, herpes, STIs).
- Vector-borne: Mosquitoes, ticks, fleas carry pathogens (malaria, dengue, Lyme, Zika).
- Fecal-oral: Ingest contaminated food/water (typhoid, cholera, E. coli).
- Bloodborne: Contact with infected blood (hepatitis B/C, HIV).
Prevention
- Hand hygiene, cover coughs/sneezes, safe sex, vaccination.
- Sanitation, food safety, vector control.
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