Definition
Droplet infection is the transmission of pathogens, i.e. bacteria or viruses, through secretion droplets. These secretion droplets originate from the human respiratory tract and can find their way to other people via the air. Many pathogens are excreted especially through the nasal mucous membrane.
In addition, the pathogens can also be transmitted via the oral mucosa. With droplet infection, a distance between people of one to at most 3 meters can be overcome. By sneezing, blowing one’s nose, coughing or speaking, the viruses and bacteria can get into the air in the form of small droplets and be inhaled by other people. The pathogens can also be passed on to other people through direct contact with the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, for example when kissing. This can, but need not necessarily, lead to infection of the other person.
Causes
The cause of a transmission of viruses or bacteria through a droplet infection is the passing on of the pathogens through small secretion drops flying through the air. The droplets are transferred into the air from the oral or nasal mucosa of a person who carries the pathogens inside. This is done by sneezing, coughing or speaking.
Other people who are in the immediate vicinity (about one to three meters) of this person can inhale the secreted secretion drops and thus absorb them into their bodies. If the bacteria or viruses multiply, an infection can occur. However, this does not necessarily have to be the case and depends, among other things, on the person’s immunity status.
The viral diseases that are transmitted by droplet infections are much more common than bacterial infections. Particularly in the colder seasons, there is an increased risk of droplet infections causing infections such as influenza. This is due to the fact that many people carry the pathogens within themselves at this time of year, which increases the risk of spreading them.
Which diseases are transmitted by droplet infections?
Especially viral infections are transmitted by droplet infection. The occurrence of bacterial diseases is comparatively rare. Among the viral infections, influenza is the most common disease.
But also the real flu, the so-called influenza, is spread by droplets of secretion in the air. Since older people and people with previous illnesses have an increased risk of contracting influenza, they are recommended to have an influenza vaccination. The herpes simplex virus is also transmitted by droplets.
It is the trigger for the commonly known cold sore, but can also affect the eyes in the form of conjunctivitis. Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, which is caused by the Epstein-Barr-Virus (EBV), also enters the body through droplet infection. Many childhood diseases are spread mainly by droplet infections.
These include above all measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Since these diseases can take a serious course, it is recommended that children be vaccinated against them in good time. Among the bacterial droplet infections, the transmission of streptococci is one of the most common infections.
These bacteria often lead to tonsillitis, but can also cause sinusitis, middle ear infections or, in the worst case, pneumonia or meningitis. Pneumococci as a trigger of pneumonia are also transmitted by droplet infections. In addition, tuberculosis, whooping cough, diphtheria and the plague are among the less frequently transmitted bacterial infections.
Since droplet transmitted infections are the cause of epidemics, epidemics are encouraged by large crowds of people. A very dreaded type of bacteria that is transmitted by droplets is meningococcus. These lead to a purulent meningitis and can also lead to complications such as blood poisoning. The disease manifests itself mainly through stiff neck and vomiting.
