Tröpfcheninfektionen

Tröpfcheninfektionen, also known as droplet infections, are a common mode of transmission for many infectious diseases. This type of transmission occurs when infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria, are expelled from an infected person's respiratory tract in small droplets. These droplets are released during activities like coughing, sneezing, talking, or singing. The droplets produced range in size and can vary in their ability to remain airborne. Larger droplets tend to fall to the ground relatively quickly, typically within a distance of one to two meters from the source. Smaller droplets, or aerosols, can remain suspended in the air for longer periods and travel further.

Infection occurs when a susceptible individual inhales these droplets, allowing the pathogens to enter their respiratory system, or when droplets land on mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. The close proximity typically required for transmission explains why these infections often spread in crowded environments or through direct contact with an infected individual. Common examples of diseases spread through droplet transmission include influenza, the common cold, pneumonia, and COVID-19. Preventive measures focus on reducing the expulsion and inhalation of these infectious droplets. These measures include covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, maintaining physical distance from others, and practicing good hand hygiene to avoid touching mucous membranes after contact with contaminated surfaces.