fäkaloral

Fäkaloral, or fecal-oral transmission, is a route by which pathogens are spread when material shed in feces is ingested. This typically occurs through contaminated food or water, poor hand hygiene, or contact with surfaces or objects that have been contaminated with fecal matter. Many microorganisms responsible for gastroenteritis and other infections rely on this route to reach a new host.

Transmission occurs when infectious agents shed in stool contaminate food, water, or surfaces, and are subsequently ingested. Some pathogens require only a small amount to establish infection, and they can survive on surfaces, in water, or in foods for varying lengths of time. Risk factors include inadequate sanitation, crowded living conditions, improper food handling, and limited access to clean water.

Common agents include viruses such as norovirus, rotavirus, and hepatitis A; bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and pathogenic Escherichia coli; and parasites such as Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium. Diseases range from acute gastroenteritis to hepatitis and poliomyelitis in unvaccinated populations.

Prevention centers on hygiene and sanitation: thorough handwashing with soap, safe diapering and waste disposal, clean water, and proper food safety practices (cooking to safe temperatures, avoiding cross-contamination). Vaccination plays a role for certain diseases, including rotavirus, hepatitis A, and polio in endemic or at-risk settings. Public health measures such as water treatment, sanitation infrastructure, and outbreak surveillance further reduce transmission.

Diagnosis and treatment focus on symptom relief and identifying the causative agent when needed; rehydration is a key component, with pathogen-directed therapies used where appropriate.