Learning Objectives
- Main methods of disease transmission
- Methods of controlling pathogens
Types of transmission
-airborne
-contact
-food borne
-water borne
Airborne/ Droplet Transmission
- Pathogens suspended in the air & travel from source to host
- Source: humans, animal, soil, food, water
- Transmitted by coughing, sneezing, vocalization
Contact
- By coming together or touching of the source of the pathogen & the host
Food & Water Borne Transmission
- Contaminated food & water contaminated can cause inflammation of the stomach & intestinal lining ( acute gastroenteritis)
- Examples: cholera, botulism, salmonellosis, traveler's diarrhea
Prevention & Controls
Hygiene practices
- Sterilisation(special equipment such as auto clave) / Disinfection (Detol, alcohol)
- Washing (with soaps)
- Others
Physical protection
- Use of surgical masks (3-ply)
- Use of gloves (latex gloves)
Control of Vectors (mosquitoes, rat)
- Fumigation
- Trapping / killing of vectors
Control of microbes
- Use of antiseptics (useful against bacteria but not viruses)
- Use of antibiotics (against bacteria only)
Vaccination
- Immunization of the body using vaccines
