Germ Transmission
Spreading germs by touching someone who is sick.
direct contact transmission
The simplest way to stop germs from spreading.
Washing your hands
Why should you avoid sharing water bottles at school?
To prevent direct contact transmission of germs.
Why should you wash your hands before eating dinner?
To remove germs that could make you sick.
Define “direct contact transmission.”
Spreading germs by touching someone who is sick.
Spreading germs by touching surfaces that have germs on them.
indirect contact transmission
Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze prevents this type of transmission.
airborne transmission
How can cleaning desks and doorknobs stop the spread of germs?
It removes germs from surfaces (indirect contact).
Why is it important to wash dishes and utensils well?
To prevent indirect contact transmission.
Define “indirect contact transmission.”
Spreading germs by touching surfaces that have germs on them.
Spreading germs through tiny particles in the air from coughing, sneezing, or talking.
airborne transmission
Why is it important to stay home when you are sick?
To prevent spreading germs to others.
What should you do if you see a classmate coughing without covering their mouth?
Move away, remind them to cover, or tell the teacher.
How can family members help stop germs from spreading when someone is sick at home?
Use tissues, wash hands, clean surfaces, don’t share items.
Define “airborne transmission.”
Spreading germs through tiny particles in the air from coughing, sneezing, or talking.
Sharing drinks or food can spread germs through this type of transmission
direct contact transmission
Using hand sanitizer is most helpful in preventing what kind of transmission?
What is indirect contact transmission?
How does good handwashing after recess help keep classmates healthy?
It removes germs picked up from playground equipment.
Why should sick people avoid hugging or kissing others at home?
To prevent direct contact transmission.
Which type of transmission is most likely to spread if you don’t cover your mouth when you sneeze?
What is airborne transmission?
Give an example of how airborne, direct, and indirect transmission could happen in one school day.
Example: Hugging a sick friend (direct), touching a doorknob they used (indirect), sitting near their sneeze (airborne).
Name two methods that can prevent the spread of germs in a classroom.
Washing hands, wiping desks, wearing masks, covering coughs/sneezes, not sharing supplies.
Explain how one sick student could spread germs to many classmates in one day.
By coughing (airborne), sharing supplies (direct), and touching desks/doors (indirect)
Explain how germs from one sick family member can spread through the whole house.
They cough (airborne), touch surfaces (indirect), or share items/close contact (direct).
Give an example of all three types of transmission in one sentence.
“If I shake hands with a sick friend (direct), touch the desk they used (indirect), and breathe in their sneeze (airborne), I could get sick three ways.”