Smear infection

introduction

At a Smear infection Pathogens or infections are passed on through touch. It is therefore also referred to as contact infection.
With smear infection, the infection can be transmitted either directly or indirectly. The carriers of infection are Body secretions of the infected, like saliva, urine or chair.

The direct transmission takes place from person to person. For example, if a flu patient coughs into his hand and then hands it to someone else, pathogens are transmitted.
In the indirect smear infection there is an object in the line of transmission between the two people. For example, this can be a door handle or a glass that is shared.

causes

The most frequent root cause of smear infections are inadequate hygiene measures. The Hands of a sick person or contaminated with germs surfaces are typically the sources of transmission. The pathogens can get there in various ways.
In most cases, smear infections are caused by Germs transferred from the chair come. It can be bacteria, viruses or parasites.
The Germs get from the hand of an infected person or from the surface to which he transferred it, to another person passed on. This happens when the healthy person touches the hand or the surface and thereby contaminates his own hand with the pathogen.
Normally the skin a natural one Protective barrier and prevents the pathogens from entering the body. Already through minor injuries however, they can get there quickly.
Even if with the contaminated hand the eyes or the mouth is touched, this offers a gateway for the germs. The immune system takes immediate action against the invading germs, but does not always manage to fight all pathogens.

The main causes of smear infections are Diarrhea pathogens, how Rotaviruses or Noroviruses. Also Salmonella are transmitted this way. Influenza viruses, which cause flu, and adenoviruses, which can cause colds or conjunctivitis, are also transmitted through contact infections.
Occurring less often, but can also be transmitted through smear infections Hepatitis A, cholera, typhus and polio.

The purulent secretion out chickenpox or Cold sore contains viral pathogens that are transmitted via smear infections.

Symptoms

The Symptoms a smear infection are very different, as many different pathogens can be transmitted this way.
Be very common Gastrointestinal infections or Colds transmitted via smear infections. Accordingly, the symptoms most often consist of diarrhea and digestive problems sniff and to cough or one Conjunctivitis.
Certain bacteria can too other symptoms evoke so infested Chlamydia the genital area as well as the urethra and lead to complaints here, for example Painful urination.

diagnosis

A direct diagnosis of a smear infection cannot be made. It can only be due to the suspected diseasethat the pathogen is caused by a Smear infection got into the body. This is particularly likely with diarrhea.
If a bacterial disease is suspected, a Smear from the throat taken by the patient to prove this.

therapy

The treatment does not depend on how the pathogen got into the body, but on the Type of pathogen and the disease they cause.

Diarrheal diseases usually do not require any special therapy if they are caused by viruses. It is enough to keep one Light food and the Drinking enough fluids.
Even with bacterial diarrhea, for example Salmonella, usually no additional treatment methods need to be initiated. Only if the course of the disease is very severe or if there is a weak immune system does the administration of a drug make sense.
A Chlamydial infection however, requires Treatment with an antibiotic.

• Treatment of salmonella
• Chlamydia treatment

Smear infection with HIV?

HIV is not actually transmitted through a smear infection. The pathogens are transmitted through infectious body secretions, but only through blood, semen and vaginal secretions and only if these are transmitted in sufficiently large quantities. This amount varies depending on external circumstances.
Contact infections, for example via the door handle or saliva transfer, do not lead to infection. That is why there is no risk of infection in everyday life with HIV-positive people. This is only to be feared during sexual intercourse, major bleeding or the use of syringes that have already been used while consuming drugs.

Transmission of chlamydia through smear infection

Chlamydia are bacteria that are divided into different subgroups and can cause different clinical pictures. Chlamydia are transmitted through smear infections. Most often this happens during sexual intercourse. The pathogens can also be passed on through chairs or in the swimming pool.

The different types of chlamydia cause different symptoms. The best known is the chlamydial infection, which takes place in the urinary and sexual organs and is transmitted through intercourse. The pathogens can be transmitted from the mother to the child at birth.
Chlamydia infections are also noticeable in the eyes. Here they lead to what is known as swimming pool conjunctivitis, a conjunctivitis that is typically transmitted in swimming pools. The airways can also be affected in the form of pneumonia.

Read more about this under Is conjunctivitis contagious?

Smear infection on the face

Especially that face offers a cheap Entry gate for pathogens that are transmitted via smear infections.
Oral and nasal mucosa are very susceptible to viruses and bacteria and are often unconsciously with the Hands touched. As a result, the pathogens enter the body unnoticed and can multiply there and lead to disease. This is especially true for children.
Also the eyes represent a potential entry point for the germs.

Smear infection in the eye

About the eyes Pathogens can get into the body and cause diseases there. A smear infection is often transmitted through the hands. After hand contact, many people usually unconsciously grab their faces or eyes, which can lead to the transmission of germs.

There are several pathogens that are transmitted by smear infections and cause discomfort to the eyes. Most of the time this is one Conjunctivitis, by Adenoviruses or for example Chlamydia be transmitted.

Smear infection from pimples

Pimples or inflamed hair roots contain purulent secretion that bacteria contains. These bacteria can get through Smear infections be transmittedwhen they are released.
This happens, for example, when the pimples are squeezed out and bacteria are transferred by touching the secretion and then touching another part of the body. This can also happen from one person to another.
The spread of the bacteria to another part of the body does not necessarily lead to symptoms. This is only the case when the bacteria are through small wounds or over Mucous membranes can get into the body.
Because of this you should Pimples not expressed be to a Spread of the bacteria to prevent.

How can I avoid smear infections?

Inadequate hygiene measures are the most common cause of smear infections. The most common pathogens are via the hands transfer. That's why it's regular Wash your hands and Hand disinfection especially important to avoid smear infection. Since it cannot be prevented that germs get on your own hands, especially in public places, it is important to ensure that these get through quickly Disinfectants be eliminated. This should be done regularly, before the germs enter the body via the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose or eyes or via small wounds on the skin.