An airborne pathogen is any organism that spreads via the air and can cause an infection. Bacteria, viruses and fungus are the types of germs that lead to this health condition. And air is a highly efficient route for pathogens to infect a large number of people.
Most often, pathogen air transmission happens when an organism travels on respiratory droplets or dust. Droplets of germs can be cast out into the air from coughing, sneezing or talking. Although, some infections can result when animal urine or feces containing germs become airborne and are breathed in.
Several airborne diseases caused by germs in the air include:
- measles
- influenza
- diphtheria
- coxsackie
- meningitis
- chicken pox
- legionellosis
- tuberculosis
- common cold
- histoplasmosis
- whooping cough
- hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
Avoid contact with others while contagious with an airborne infectious disease. And wearing a disposable mask around someone who is actively infected does not guarantee you won’t inhale some germs they’ll inevitably spit into the air.
