// BEGIN editorial data
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var germs_050211 = new Array();
germs_050211.ID = "germs_050211";
germs_050211.ID_WB = 6955649;
germs_050211.sPubDate = "2/14/2005 11:48:46 PM GMT";
germs_050211.navsectionID = "3034550"
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germs_050211.appHeader = "fact file|How Germs Spread";
germs_050211.appDeck = "Understanding how germs spread is vital to preventing infection. There are seven possible ways for the transmission of bacteria and viruses to take place. Click on a category to learn more.";
germs_050211.appFooter = "Source: “The Secret Life of Germs” by Dr. Philip M. Tierno (Atria Books, 2001)";
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germs_050211.copyHeight = 210;
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germs_050211[i++] = new Array("","Direct contact","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
germs_050211[i-1].body = "<headline/><br>This mode of transmission involves physical contact and generally takes place through shaking hands, touching someone, kissing or sexual activity. Sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, syphilis and chlamydia are spread this way.";

germs_050211[i++] = new Array("","Indirect contact","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
germs_050211[i-1].body = "<headline/><br>Germs are spread between people via an intermediate object, usually something inanimate. Door knobs, railings, counters, tables, equipment at gyms and other frequently touched objects are common culprits. Cold viruses and germs that cause stomach flu or diarrhea are frequently transmitted through indirect contact.";

germs_050211[i++] = new Array("","Droplet spread","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
germs_050211[i-1].body = "<headline/><br>An infectious agent is spread through the air when two people are near each other. It usually takes place when someone coughs, sneezes or talks. This is a common mode of transmission for respiratory diseases such as influenza.";

germs_050211[i++] = new Array("","Fecal-to-oral route","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
germs_050211[i-1].body = "<headline/><br>Transmission occurs when an infected person fails to adequately wash their hands after going to the bathroom. The person then goes on to have direct contact with another person, such as shaking hands, or spreads germs through indirect contact by contaminating a door knob or food, for example. Many cases of food poisoning are the result of fecal-to-oral transmission, as is the spread of Hepatitis A.";

germs_050211[i++] = new Array("","Common-vehicle spread","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
germs_050211[i-1].body = "<headline/><br>This form of transmission involves a contaminated, inanimate &#147;vehicle&#148; that spreads germs to several or many people. Examples include a town&#146;s water supply that&#146;s contaminated with diarrhea-causing parasites or packaged foods tainted with salmonella. Temperature often plays a role in common-vehicle spread since many germs will produce larger amounts of toxin in a warmer, more humid environment, but are kept in check at colder temperatures.";

germs_050211[i++] = new Array("","Airborne spread","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
germs_050211[i-1].body = "<headline/><br>Germs are spread through the air over a distance of several or more feet. The infectious organisms are usually contained in tiny droplets that can remain suspended in air for hours or days. Tuberculosis and anthrax are spread via airborne transmission. Airborne spread can be affected by the speed or direction of air flow &#150; enclosed spaces with poor air circulation are particularly bad. For this reason, airline passengers on extended flights are at a greater risk for airborne illnesses.";

germs_050211[i++] = new Array("","Vector-borne spread","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
germs_050211[i-1].body = "<headline/><br>There are two forms of vector-borne spread. One involves the transfer of germs to a person via the body of another organism, such as contaminated flies. The other form takes place when an infected animal bites a person &#150; for example, when a mosquito transmits malaria or a tick infects a person with Lyme disease.";

	// END editorial data