Clinical Immunological American Dermato-epidemiologic Network

Epidemiology: Open Access

Transmission of an Infectious Disease through Microscopic Particles

Abstract

Author(s):

The transmission of an infectious disease through microscopic particles suspended in the air is known as "airborne transmission" or "aerosol transmission. Among the infectious diseases that are capable of being transmitted through the air are many that are of significant importance to both human and veterinary medicine. The relevant infectious agent could be bacteria, viruses, or fungi. They can be spread by breathing, talking, coughing, sneezing, raising dust, spraying liquids, flushing toilets, or any other activity that produces aerosol particles or droplets. Diseases brought on by air pollution are not included in this category; rather, it refers only to the transmission of an infectious agent.