How Are Illnesses like Colds, Flu, and Pertussis Spread?
The main way that many illnesses, like colds, flu and pertussis, are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This is called “droplet spread,” tiny drops from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air and are deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Germs are also spread when a person touches mucus droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches his or her own eyes, mouth, or nose before washing hands. We know that some viruses like the flu can live two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks.
