Common Infections
Ways an infectious disease can spread:
đ§Water: Some pathogens contaminate water supplies. Pathogens can infect organisms that drink this contaminated water.
Cholera is a disease spread in this way.
đ Sex: Diseases that are spread through sexual contact (often simply genital to genital contact) are called sexually-transmitted infections (STIs).
Physical barriers (such as condoms) are very effective at stopping the spread of STIs.
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that causes infertility and often has no other symptoms, so easily spreads. Testing and treatment with antibiotics prevents spread.
HIV can also be passed on through pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. Testing and treatment with antiretroviral drugs prevents spread.
Air: Some pathogens are released into the air inside droplets when an organism coughs or sneezes. These droplets can be inhaled by other organisms.
Tuberculosis bacteria are spread in this way.
Orally (by mouth): Helicobacter (which causes stomach ulcers) is spread through oral transmission (passing by mouth) of bacteria from vomit or faeces.
Vector: Malaria is a protist that is spread by an animal vector; mosquitoes.
Body fluids: Ebola and HIV are both spread through direct contact with someone else's body fluids e.g blood