The transmission The spreading of pathogenic disease, for example by touch, food, water. of pathogenMicroorganism that causes disease. can be prevented or reduced in a number of ways. A number of important methods for doing this are shown in the table below.
Method
Example of disease
How it works
Sterilising water
Cholera
Chemicals or UV light kill pathogens in unclean water.
Suitable hygiene - food
Salmonella (food poisoning)
Cooking foods thoroughly and preparing them in hygienic conditions kills pathogens.
Suitable hygiene - personal
Athlete's foot
Washing surfaces with disinfectants kills pathogens. Treating existing cases of infection kills pathogens.
Vaccination
Measles
Vaccinations introduce a small or weakened version of a pathogen into your body, and the immune system learns how to defend itself.
Contraception
HIV/AIDS
Using barrier contraception like condoms stops the transfer of bodily fluids and sexually transmitted diseases.
Method
Sterilising water
Example of disease
Cholera
How it works
Chemicals or UV light kill pathogens in unclean water.
Method
Suitable hygiene - food
Example of disease
Salmonella (food poisoning)
How it works
Cooking foods thoroughly and preparing them in hygienic conditions kills pathogens.
Method
Suitable hygiene - personal
Example of disease
Athlete's foot
How it works
Washing surfaces with disinfectants kills pathogens. Treating existing cases of infection kills pathogens.
Method
Vaccination
Example of disease
Measles
How it works
Vaccinations introduce a small or weakened version of a pathogen into your body, and the immune system learns how to defend itself.
Method
Contraception
Example of disease
HIV/AIDS
How it works
Using barrier contraception like condoms stops the transfer of bodily fluids and sexually transmitted diseases.