- Infections can spread easily and depend on factors like the robustness of the infected person’s immune system, the incubation period, and the reproduction rate (R rate) of the pathogen.
- Measles and whooping cough are highly contagious with R rates of 15-20 and 15-17 respectively, while tuberculosis has a low R rate, making it less likely to spread.
- The common cold and flu viruses spread easily through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces, causing mild illnesses but can recur due to lack of strong antibody response.
- Norovirus is highly contagious, spreading through airborne particles, infected food and water, and contaminated surfaces, with a high R rate of 1.1 to 7.2.
- COVID-19, caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus, spreads easily through respiratory droplets, can attach to cells throughout the body, and has a high R rate of 1.9 to 3.9, but immunity from vaccination or prior infection can lessen its impact.
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Infectious Diseases, Public Health & Prevention, Emergency Medicine