There are several types of transmission pathways of infection from direct contact, indirect contact, droplet contact, fecal-oral, airborne and vector borne (U. of Ottawa 2014) - all horizontal transmission. Vertical transmission is where the parent(s) pass the disease causing agent to the offspring (Vizoso 2008). HIV/AIDS is an example of vertical transmission where the infected mother passes her genes to the offspring - being born infected. Direct contact includes skin-to-skin contact like shaking hands, kissing and sexual intercourse. The common cold, pink eye, Ebola and STDs, like gonorrhea, herpes and hepatitis B, are examples of direct contact transmission. Indirect contact would include being in contact with a fomite, or an object/surface that carries infectious agents. This way one can contract the flu, rhinovirus and Norwalk. Droplet contact occurs specifically through coughing and sneezing onto another individual. Examples include the flu, Ebola, whooping cough and Neisseria meningitidis. Airbone transmission occurs via inhalation of an infectious agent; examples include tuberculosis, smallpox, chickenpox and varicella. Fecal-oral transmission happens when one comes in contact with an infected food or water source caused by lack of hygiene or cleanliness, which can result in the stomach flu or E. coli. Vector-borne refers to an insect/animal introducing an infectious agent to an individual; and example being malaria through mosquitoes and rabies through an animal bite (U. of Ottawa 2014).
Vizoso, Dita (2008, Feb. 29). Host-Parasite Interactions: Horizontal vs. Vertical Infections. Retrieved April 19, 2015, from .
University of Ottawa (2014, Oct. 14). Routes for Spread of Infectious Disease. Retrieved April 19, 2015, from .
Hi Elizabeth, you mentioned that HIV is passed from mother to baby through her genes. Can you explain this further? Also, is there a way to avoid transmission during childbirth?
HIV is in fact transmitted vertically from mother to child, but this does not occur through genetics(Horthwath 2007). It is transplacental and is rather introduced to the offspring during fetal development; HIV is also introduced during childbirth (including labor). The virus is also contracted if the child nurses from the infected mother. HIV transmission from mother to child is the most common way to contract the virus. These chances can be reduced if the mother receives medication during pregnancy and childbirth. The mother can also have a C section to avoid transmission during a vaginal childbirth. If a baby is exposed to the HIV virus during birth, the infant is given medication immediately to stop the virus from entering the body. Women with HIV should not breast-feed their children to avoid transmission (AIDSinfo 2014).
AIDSinfo (2014, Sept. 22). HIV Prevention. Retrieved from http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/education-materials/fact-sheets/20/50/preventing-mother-to-child-transmission-of-hiv.
Horthwath, Ewald MD (2007, Jun. 8). Hiv Genetic?. Retrieved from http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Mental/Q184625.html.
There are several types of transmission pathways of infection from direct contact, indirect contact, droplet contact, fecal-oral, airborne and vector borne (U. of Ottawa 2014) - all horizontal transmission. Vertical transmission is where the parent(s) pass the disease causing agent to the offspring (Vizoso 2008). HIV/AIDS is an example of vertical transmission where the infected mother passes her genes to the offspring - being born infected. Direct contact includes skin-to-skin contact like shaking hands, kissing and sexual intercourse. The common cold, pink eye, Ebola and STDs, like gonorrhea, herpes and hepatitis B, are examples of direct contact transmission. Indirect contact would include being in contact with a fomite, or an object/surface that carries infectious agents. This way one can contract the flu, rhinovirus and Norwalk. Droplet contact occurs specifically through coughing and sneezing onto another individual. Examples include the flu, Ebola, whooping cough and Neisseria meningitidis. Airbone transmission occurs via inhalation of an infectious agent; examples include tuberculosis, smallpox, chickenpox and varicella. Fecal-oral transmission happens when one comes in contact with an infected food or water source caused by lack of hygiene or cleanliness, which can result in the stomach flu or E. coli. Vector-borne refers to an insect/animal introducing an infectious agent to an individual; and example being malaria through mosquitoes and rabies through an animal bite (U. of Ottawa 2014).
ReplyDeleteVizoso, Dita (2008, Feb. 29). Host-Parasite Interactions: Horizontal vs. Vertical Infections. Retrieved April 19, 2015, from .
University of Ottawa (2014, Oct. 14). Routes for Spread of Infectious Disease. Retrieved April 19, 2015, from .
Hi Elizabeth, you mentioned that HIV is passed from mother to baby through her genes. Can you explain this further? Also, is there a way to avoid transmission during childbirth?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete(I apologize for the previous mistakes).
DeleteHIV is in fact transmitted vertically from mother to child, but this does not occur through genetics(Horthwath 2007). It is transplacental and is rather introduced to the offspring during fetal development; HIV is also introduced during childbirth (including labor). The virus is also contracted if the child nurses from the infected mother. HIV transmission from mother to child is the most common way to contract the virus. These chances can be reduced if the mother receives medication during pregnancy and childbirth. The mother can also have a C section to avoid transmission during a vaginal childbirth. If a baby is exposed to the HIV virus during birth, the infant is given medication immediately to stop the virus from entering the body. Women with HIV should not breast-feed their children to avoid transmission (AIDSinfo 2014).
AIDSinfo (2014, Sept. 22). HIV Prevention. Retrieved from http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/education-materials/fact-sheets/20/50/preventing-mother-to-child-transmission-of-hiv.
Horthwath, Ewald MD (2007, Jun. 8). Hiv Genetic?. Retrieved from http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Mental/Q184625.html.