Respiratory transmission

Respiratory transmission is the spread of infectious agents through particles released from the respiratory tract, including particles that are inhaled or deposited on susceptible tissues.

Aerosol transmission: The spread of infectious agents through inhalation of suspended particles. It describes infection when respiratory particles remain airborne and are inhaled.
Ventilation: The intentional supply and removal of air in an indoor space. Replacing indoor air can reduce the concentration of infectious particles.
Contact transmission: The spread of infectious agents through direct physical contact or contaminated surfaces. It can produce similar outbreaks, but infection follows touch rather than inhalation or deposition.
Reproduction number: The average number of secondary infections generated by an infected person in a specified population and setting. Respiratory exposure conditions influence how many people each case infects.
Droplet transmission: The spread of infectious agents through relatively large respiratory particles that travel short distances before settling. It captures short-range exposure to larger particles emitted from the respiratory tract.
Air filtration: The removal of particles from air by passing it through a filtering medium. Filters can capture pathogen-carrying particles before they are inhaled.
Fomite transmission: The spread of infectious agents through contaminated objects or surfaces. It distinguishes surface-mediated exposure from particles released into the air.
Superspreading: An event or pattern in which a small number of infected people cause a disproportionately large number of infections. Shared-air settings can enable unusually extensive respiratory spread from one source.
Respiratory droplets: Liquid particles expelled from the respiratory tract during breathing, speaking, coughing, or sneezing. These particles are the physical vehicles that can carry infectious agents.
Respirators: Protective devices designed to reduce inhalation of airborne particles. A well-fitted respirator limits the particles reaching the wearer's respiratory tract.

Linked from 8 pages