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738 Workplace Hygiene and Illness Prevention Program Management
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Modes of Transmission

Most people work outside their homes. This increases the risk of exposure to pathogens that cause infectious diseases.

Pathogens can be transmitted through direct or indirect transmission. Direct transmission can occur through direct contact or droplet spread. Indirect contact occurs when pathogens are transferred through airborne transmission, vehicles, or vectors.

Direct Transmission

  • Direct Contact: Direct contact refers to contact with surfaces that contain pathogens. Direct contact includes person-to-person contact. For example, a worker who has coughed into their hand can directly transfer pathogens by shaking hands with their coworkers.
  • Droplet Spread: Droplets from a cough, sneeze, or talking can spread an infectious disease. This type of transmission requires people to be within close proximity. For example, droplets from sneezing can spray over a few feet and fall on a person who is not infected.

Indirect Transmission

  • Airborne Transmission: This type of transmission occurs when pathogens are carried by dust or droplet nuclei that are suspended in the air. This can cause pathogens to remain in the air for longer periods of time and travel longer distances than droplets. For example, if an ill person coughs, the pathogens from their cough can remain suspended in the air if they fall onto dust or droplet nuclei.
  • Vehicles: A vehicle is an object or material that can carry pathogens. Common vehicles are water, food, and blood. Pathogens can infect a person when they touch or ingest a vehicle. For example, a person may contract the stomach flu if they consume food that was not handled with care.
  • Vectors: A vector is any insect or animal capable of transmitting pathogens known to cause disease in humans. Mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks are examples of vectors.

In the case of workplace hygiene, the most common modes of transmission are through direct contact, droplet spread, and airborne transmission.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

2-3. Which of the following describes airborne transmission?