How Are Infectious Diseases Spread?
Diseases are usually spread by touching something that is infected with a virus or bacteria. For example, your child has a cold and touches his nose and then touches a countertop. The infectious virus or bacteria is now on the countertop. If you come by and touch the countertop and then touch your mouth or rub your eyes, you could get the infection. Infected fluids from the eyes, nose, and mouth that end up on people’s hands are the most common way infections are spread. Hands or other objects contaminated by bowel movements are the reason for the spread of most diarrhea, as well as infectious hepatitis. Droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing are a less common way to get an infection. Droplets can travel up to 6 feet in the air. Contaminated utensils such as bottles and dishes can occasionally be a source of infections. The fluid oozing from sores such as chickenpox and fever blisters can be contagious. However, most red rashes without anything coming out of them are not contagi
