Infectious diseases are caused by organisms (germs) such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Germs are a part of everyday life and are found in the air, soil, water and in and on our bodies.

Some germs are helpful and even help us to stay healthy, while others are harmful and cause infection. By understanding about how people can catch an infectious DISEASE, you can then TAKE EFFECTIVE action to prevent their spread.

Germs get into the body through the:-

• mouth – including eating, DRINKING or breathing.

• skin - through cuts and grazes.

• eyes.

• genitals.

Germs can spread:-

• from person to person.

• directly through close contact.

• indirectly from an infected person to an object (such as DOOR handles, bench tops, food) and then to another person who comes into contact with the contaminated item.

• from a contaminated environmental source, such as an animal or the soil, to a susceptible person.

Person to person spread:-

This is the most common way that we get an infectious disease. Germs can spread from person to person through:-

• the air as droplets or aerosol particles.

• faecal-oral spread.

• blood or other body fluids.

• skin or mucous membrane contact.

• sexual contact.