How do some infectious respiratory diseases spread?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the main way that respiratory illnesses like colds and flu are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This can happen when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and the droplets move through the air and are inhaled or deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Sometimes germs also can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk or door handle and then touches his or her own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands. Some germs can live two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs and desks.
