The spread of pathogens Week 7 - Coursework Example

Droplet infection via the nose When you sneeze, cough or talk minute droplets fly out of your nose and mouth. If you are suffering from an infection, those droplets will contain pathogens. Other people will breathe in the droplets, along with the bacteria or viruses they contain. Diseases such as, common cold and the tuberculosis flu (influenza) are spread in this way. The spread can be prevented by avoiding overcrowded areas. People should be encouraged to use handkerchief when sneezing or coughing.

Direct contact example contact of genital organsSome diseases such as ebola and athletes foot are spread by direct contact of the skin. Some diseases such as HIV/AIDS and genital herpes are sexually transmitted diseases and their pathogens spread when the body service of infected persons touches that of a healthy person. Avoiding contacting body fluids from infected people can abate the spread through body contact. In addition, safe sexual intercourse should be encouraged to stop the spread of HIV/AIDs.

Contaminated food and waterEating undercooked or raw food, or drinking water contaminated by sewage means you take huge numbers of pathogens straight to your stomach. In most cases, contaminated water contains cholera pathogens while contaminated food contains Salmonella. Living in hygienic conditions is a significant step towards preventing contamination of food and water. Additionally, foods should be properly cooked. Vectors Vectors are animals or insects that spread disease- causing pathogens from an infected host to a healthy one.

In this case, the vector is not infected with the disease. Pathogens such as plasmodium (malaria) and dysentery are transmitted by mosquito and housefly respectively. Spread of pathogens through vectors can be reduced by preventing multiplication of vectors or completely eliminating them. Mosquito can be prevented by sleeping under treated mosquito net.Work CitedRonald. Biological Sciences. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton UP, 2008.