How do Germs Spread

• A germ usually escapes an infected person in respiratory droplets, urine or other body fluids and is transmitted to others by direct or indirect routes.

• Direct transmission occurs from person to person by such things as handshaking, sneezing or coughing.

• Indirect transmission occurs when a nonliving object, like a doorknob or light switch, is the intermediary between two humans.

• Germs enter our body via ingestion, inhalation, blood stream or absorption.

• Germs like a warm, wet, dark environments that are rich in nutrients.

• The ideal temperature for most germs is body temperature.

• Germs multiply rapidly doubling their numbers about every 2 hours.

• The distance germ droplets can travel after a cough or a sneeze - 3 feet.

• The distance bacteria can travel from the toilet after it's flushed - 20 feet.

• Time the cold virus can survive on inanimate objects - 3 days.