The transmission of pathogens can be prevented or reduced in a number of ways. A number of important methods of doing this are shown in the table below.
Method | Example of disease | How it works |
---|---|---|
Sterilising water | Cholera | Chemicals or UV light kill pathogens in unclean water. |
Suitable hygiene: food | Salmonella | Cooking foods thoroughly and preparing them in hygienic conditions kills pathogens. |
Suitable hygiene: personal | Athlete’s foot | Washing surfaces with disinfectants kills pathogens. Treating existing cases of infection kills pathogens. |
Vaccination | Tuberculosis | Immunisations introduce a small or weakened version of a pathogen into your body, and the immune system learns how to defend itself. |
Contraception | HIV/AIDS | By using barrier contraception like condoms, it stops the transfer of bodily fluids and sexually transmitted diseases. |