Viruses under the magnifying glass

How do viruses spread?

Virus transmission can occur in various manners. Virus transmission can occur in various manners.
Your head hurts, you have a sore throat – and you also have chills, fever, and a cough. If you are suffering from these symptoms, you may have caught a virus. But how do people catch viruses? Where do they lurk, how do they spread and, more importantly, how can we protect ourselves from getting them?

What are viruses?

To understand how viruses spread, let’s first take a closer look at them. Viruses are tiny (20 to 300 nanometres in size) and relatively simple in structure. They consist of a DNA or RNA molecule that encodes their genetic information. This molecule is surrounded by a protein shell called a capsid. In some cases, viruses are further enveloped by a lipid membrane1.

How do viruses reproduce?

Unlike bacteria, viruses are not living organisms – this is important for understanding how viruses spread. Viruses do not have their own metabolism. They thus rely on the cells of hosts into whom they inject their own genetic information. Subsequently, the infected host cells produce further viruses. Hosts may be humans, depending on the virus, but animals, plants, fungi, or bacteria can also serve as hosts1.

How are viruses transmitted?

How exactly does a virus get into our organism? Pathogens can enter the human body in various ways, but this usually happens via one of four transmission routes1,2.

One method of virus spread is the so-called droplet infection. This direct transmission route occurs via infected people or animals.

When we breathe, speak, cough, or sneeze, we emit tiny droplets (approximately 100 micrometres in size). A person infected with a virus that has settled in their throat or respiratory tract can pass on the virus by coughing, sneezing, talking, etc. Smaller droplets, called aerosols (5 micrometres), can remain suspended in the air longer and be inhaled by other people. Droplets containing the pathogen then get onto the mucous membranes of their next host’s upper respiratory tract and begin multiplying.

Example: Influenza viruses3.

One method of spread is the droplet infection.

In contact or smear infections, pathogens are transmitted primarily via the hands.

Direct contact means that pathogens are transmitted through physical contact from an infected person or animal to a non-infected person.

Example: Herpes simplex viruses (HSV).

Infection can also occur indirectly, however, as when an uninfected person touches a contaminated object such as a door handle. Any pathogens on this object could enter the host through open wounds or the mucous membranes. One form of indirect contact infection is smear infection, which occurs faecal-orally via the excreta of infected persons.

Example: Noroviruses4.

In contact or smear infections, pathogens are transmitted primarily via the hands.

Infection can also spread through contaminated water or food. Such examples are called indirect contact infections. They often occur in regions with poor hygiene conditions.

Example: Hepatitis A virus (HAV)5.

Infection can also spread through contaminated water or food.

Pathogens can also be transmitted via blood, tissue, or bodily secretions. This can happen directly (for example, through sexual contact) or indirectly (for example, from the re-use of a contaminated needle, or through the bite or sting of a bloodsucking insect).

Example 1: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – direct transmission via blood or through sexual contact; indirect transmission: through a contaminated needle6.

Example 2: Malaria – indirect transmission from the bite of a bloodsucking insect6.

Viruses can also be transmitted via blood, tissue, or bodily secretions.

So, do viruses lurk everywhere?

In the air, on objects, even in drinking water – it sounds like we are exposed to viruses everywhere! Actually, things aren’t quite that bad.

First of all, not all viruses pose a danger to us. Not all viruses infect humans – and among the viruses that do attack us, not all make us sick.

Some viruses are difficult to transmit in everyday life. HIV, for example, isn’t transmitted by droplet infection (coughing on someone) or by smear infection (such as using shared towels). Even kissing is unlikely to transmit an HIV infection. Infection only occurs through bodily fluids containing large amounts of viral material6.

In addition, many viruses are only stable for short periods outside their host organism – they cannot remain active indefinitely in the air, on a surface, in water, or on food. This means they lose their infectiousness sooner or later. Their stability also depends on environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, or the composition of the surface7.

How can I protect myself from viruses?

Fortunately, we are not defenceless against viruses. For one thing, our skin is a protective barrier that prevents viruses from entering our bodies. Our immune system also protects us by warding off invaders. Antibodies and vaccines likewise help our body better defend itself against certain viruses8.

Of course, it’s best not to get infected to begin with. That’s why preventive hygiene and precautionary measures help ensure our health and those around us. This may include keeping a distance from others or wearing a mask, regular room ventilation, and coughing or sneezing into the crook of an arm. Frequent, thorough handwashing is particularly essential. The same is true for hand disinfection if there is any chance of contamination. Let’s not give viruses an opportunity – with a few simple measures!

With a few simple measures, we can protect ourselves relatively well against viruses.

How Sterillium® protects us

The classic of alcohol-based hand disinfection.
  • Suitable for hygienic and surgical hand disinfection
  • Comprehensive protection against bacteria, yeast, and enveloped viruses*
  • Lipid replenishing
  • Very good skin tolerability, even with long-term use


    * In addition, with Sterillium® med and Sterillium® Virugard, there are products from the Sterillium® range that are additionally effective against all fungi and their spores (Sterillium® med) and against all enveloped and non-enveloped viruses (Sterillium® Virugard).

Use disinfectants safely. Always read label and product information before use.

“HWG-Pflichttexte” for our Sterillium® range in English and German, also below in the footer.

Sources:
1Infektionsschutz.de / Pathogen types / Viruses
https://www.infektionsschutz.de/infektionskrankheiten/erregerarten/viren/
(retrieved 02.12.2021)
2Gesundheitsforschung-bmbf.de / Infections / How germs spread
https://www.gesundheitsforschung-bmbf.de/de/wie-keime-sich-ausbreiten-6432.php
(retrieved on 02.12.2021)
3rki.de / Infectious diseases A - Z / Influenza
https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/I/Influenza/IPV/Influenza.html
(retrieved on 09.02.2022)
4rki.de / Guidebook / Noroviruses
https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Merkblaetter/Ratgeber_Noroviren.html
(retrieved on 09.02.2022)
5rki.de / Guidebook / Hepatitis A
https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Merkblaetter/Ratgeber_HepatitisA.html
(retrieved on 09.02.2022)
6rki.de / Ratgeber / HIV
https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Merkblaetter/Ratgeber_HIV_AIDS.html
(retrieved on 02.12.2021)
7rki.de / Tenacity of viruses
https://edoc.rki.de/bitstream/handle/176904/1032/20it8MVJyvUEM.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
(retrieved on 02.12.2021)
8MSD Manual / Infections / Overview of viral infections
https://www.msdmanuals.com/de-de/heim/infektionen/%C3%BCbersicht-%C3%BCber-virusinfektionen/%C3%BCbersicht-%C3%BCber-virusinfektionen
(retrieved on 02.12.2021)

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